THOSE of you who know me will know I’m firmly of the belief that people should not put the words 'fun' and 'run' together.

I don't like running. It makes me sweaty, it makes me out of breath and it hurts my legs.

So why on earth have I signed up to run my first 10km race on Saturday, May 28?

That's right, in just over a week I will be pulling on my trainers, donning a bright pink tutu and joining hundreds of other women at Weald Country Park for the annual Race for Life event.

The event will see women of all ages walking, jogging, running or even dancing 5km or 10km routes around the park in aid of Cancer Research.

Now people take part in the Cancer Research UK charity event for many reasons; some just want to have a laugh, some want to beat personal bests and others are running to raise money for the charity which means so much to them.

Many will wear back signs in memory of loved ones with names and photos those who have had cancer or lost their lives to it attached to inspiring messages of hope.

I’ll also be pinning a back sign to my t-shirt, as I’m running in memory of two very special people; my auntie Janet Hardy, who lost her battle against cancer in 2002, and my grandad Edward Austen, who supported my Nanna Doris when she had breast cancer.

Taking part in a Race for Life event, or just going along to watch on the day, really does make you realise how many people cancer affects as hundreds of women support each other round the route to raise money for the charity doing its best to fight cancer.

Although the day can be sad as people remember those they have lost or their own battles with the disease, the main message which comes across is one of hope.

Yes, all these women are here because of an awful, nasty, vicious disease but they are going to do their damn best to do their bit to fight it.

So I’m joining them and although I know I will get sweaty and out of breath and my legs will hurt this is why I’m going to run as much as my little legs will carry me.

To raise money for vital research so one day no one will have to write the name of a loved one on their back sign.

Donate at justgiving.com/charlotteruns10km

ARE you taking part in a Race for Life event this summer?

We want to hear from you!

Perhaps you are taking part in a 5km race in memory of a loved one or maybe you’ve issued a challenge to a friend to run your first ever 10km?

Whatever your reasons for taking part we want to hear from you.

Send your name, age, address, fundraising page details, 100 words on why you are taking part and a photo to charlotte.austen-hardy@nqe.com or tweet @caustenhardy