Clasina Ball received her first cancer diagnosis at the tender age of 24. By the time she was 50, she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, melanoma cancer, and Hodgkin's lymphoma — but had beaten them all.

For many, the title 'Director' can conjure up an image of the big boss reclining on a leather swivel chair — not too keen on getting their hands dirty. At Saint Francis Hospice, that couldn't be further from the truth. Our Medical Director is very much on the frontline. 

In 1984, there was a dream: to open a hospice on a hill 344 feet above sea level in Greater London.

Catherine Green volunteers at Saint Francis Hospice's day unit, Pemberton Place. It's our social hub for people who all have at least one thing in common: a life-limiting illness. 

The New Year has also caused me to reflect on my time at Saint Francis Hospice and how I came to join this outstanding organisation.

Kelly is a civil servant and her partner Serene works as a Sky engineer. They live in Romford and are running the London Marathon together on Sunday, April 28. 

Here Kelly shares their inspirational story about why they've taken up the iconic 26.2 mile challenge........