A CHARITABLE Pedmore businesswoman has pledged to raise £5,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of her father.

Sue Davis, who owns management development company TalentGen, is also raising money for the charity after they helped her sister during her fight against breast cancer.

The fundraiser said: “This is a very personal challenge for me. I chose Macmillan as they supported my Dad, who lost his fight at the age of 54 in 2001 within three months of diagnosis.

“They also helped my sister so much during her fight against breast cancer and I am relieved to say that she is now in remission. But sadly last year, we also lost my sister-in-law who worked as a nurse caring for terminally ill patients.

“She showed such positivity and determination to hold her third grandchild and passed away shortly after. It seemed appropriate to support a charity which has given so much to my family.”

To raise the money for Macmillan, Sue is taking part in a number of running challenges, completing her first – the Birmingham Half Marathon – in October 2015.

She followed that by running the Silverstone Half Marathon in March this year, before making it round the full 26.2 miles of the London Marathon last weekend in five hours and 34 minutes, which she called “an amazing and emotional experience”.

Sue said: “The minimum sponsorship to take part in the London Marathon was £2,000, so I set myself an ambitious goal to raise £5,000 overall.

“Four years ago I couldn’t run more than a mile without stopping, but thanks to the support from Dudley Ladies local running club, I ran the entire way.

“It was a huge physical challenge for me, training five nights and week and even changing my diet – which has been the toughest part!

“On top of that I have still been managing a busy business, which often involves working at different locations in the UK.”

Later this year Sue will take part in the Compton Hospice Colour Run in July, before tacking the Great North Run in September in aid of Alzheimer’s Society.

Together with the running challenges, the businesswoman has also organised a charity auction and social event – featuring a number of prizes – which will take place on Friday May 20 at Dudley Kingswinford RFC.

Sue added: “When cancer strikes, it brings not only worry about the treatment but also worry about what will happen to your life.

“Macmillan Cancer Support works tirelessly in the background providing advice and practical help and support to many families dealing with this terrible disease.”