A NURSE has been donning her running shoes and pushing herself to her limit in preparation for her first marathon to raise cash for a cancer charity.

Macmillan clinical nurse Jane Bond, part of the specialist palliative care team for South Tees Hospital Trust, will take on the Yorkshire Marathon, in York, on October 9, for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Mrs Bond, from Richmond, said: “Working in the palliative care team in Hambleton and Richmondshire, I know how important it is to raise funds to support Macmillan’s services.

“Our team help terminally ill people and their families or carers cope with the diagnosis and support them so they can continue with their normal activities.

“The families and carers I meet every day are amazing and I am always inspired by their bravery, so I have decided to challenge myself as a tribute to them and my mum who died of cancer when I was 27.”

Mrs Bond joined Macmillan in July 2015 after working as a community nurse for a local hospice, and as specialist skin cancer nurse at The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.

She said: “Working as a Macmillan nurse has been something I have always aspired to, so when this job became available in my local area it felt like the perfect opportunity to combine my professional and personal experience.”

Mrs Bond has always run to keep fit, but last summer she joined her local running club which has increased her confidence to take on this big challenge.

She added: “Never in my wildest dreams did I think that this year I would be taking on a marathon. But Richmond and Zetland Harriers have been so supportive and I thought, why not? They have given me the confidence to think that I could possibly do it.

“The training so far has been going well, the marathon is by far the biggest challenge I have ever undertaken and will be a huge test physically and mentally.

"However, knowing the difference the money I raise will make to the lives of people affected by cancer will keep me going, and I hope I can do everyone who has supported me proud.”

Macmillan provide medical, emotional, financial and practical help for all cancer patients, from cancer nurse specialists, to grants for cancer patients with money problems.

Michaela Ryder, local fundraising manager for Macmillan, said: “It only costs £27 to fund a Macmillan Nurse for an hour, so every penny our supporters raise really does make a huge difference.”

You can show your support by visiting Mrs Bond’s JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Jane-Bond3.

If you’re interested in taking on a challenge for Macmillan contact Michaela Ryder on 07474-612722 or mryder@macmillan.org.uk.

Anyone with questions about cancer can call the Macmillan Support Line free on 0808-808-0000, Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm or by visiting macmillan.org.uk.