Lisa takes on a year of challenges in memory of her dad

So when it came to marking her 30th birthday, she decided to challenge herself to the extreme, with a full year of running events, including the London Marathon, all in memory of her father.

Former Harrogate teacher Keith Millet, who was deputy head at Granby High School, died in August 2004 after a long battle with oesophageal cancer. A former professional rugby league player for Doncaster Rovers, he was just 55 when he died.

Miss Millet, who works for Cancer Research UK in Horsforth, will this year take on the Great North Run, the Liverpool Rock and Roll half marathon and the London Marathon, and has already ticked off the Meltham (tough) 10k and the London Winter run.

She said: “Despite months of gruelling treatment and operations my dad didn’t let cancer stop him and he was still going to rugby games and horse races long after his diagnosis. His determination is exactly what will keep me going this year and when my feet start hurting and I feel like I can’t take another step I’ll think of him.”

She is training six nights a week, and hopes to raise £2,000 to fund research, particularly into oesophageal cancer where survival rates remain low.

Miss Millet said: “I can’t wait to cross the finish line in London, but it will be a bitter sweet as I’m sure my dad would have loved to be there. Running this marathon and other events this year is the least I can do to raise money to beat cancer.”

To sponsor Lisa visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/lisamillettturns30.