I met Lizzie about 8 years ago when we both worked at HarperCollins Publishers. She started working in the Marketing Department and quickly became known as the "smiley one". She had the most beautiful smile and her positive outlook on life together with her intelligence quickly established her as a strong member of the team. So strong, that after a year or so, I decided to poach her for my department. It was during this time that Lizzie and I used to talk about doing something to raise money for Cancer Research. I lost my mother when I was 21 and always felt the desire to do something to contribute to further research. Just before Lizzie died, I sent her an email saying that I would do something to raise the money that we had hoped to raise together.

At the end of August this year, my Dad and I put on our padded cycling shorts and took on the hills of Plymouth. We completed our challenge of 150 miles in 3 days and raised £1245 for the Plymouth and District Leukaemia Fund with the request that all monies go to Birch Ward at Derriford Hospital where Lizzie was treated. On the last day, when we dismounted our bikes, I was overwhelmed by emotion. I felt so sad at the thought of never seeing Lizzie again but I know that she would have been proud of our achievement and so pleased that we had been able to give something back to other people who are cared for on Birch ward.

Nina