Royal Air Force women’s football star Rachael Howes will be taking on the London Marathon to raise funds for cancer, following her own diagnosis earlier this year.

Corporal Howes was diagnosed with a rare type of blood cancer, which prompted her to begin a fundraising campaign for Blood Cancer UK.

Despite her illness, she has already conquered the Yorkshire Peaks Challenge, the Shine Night Walk and the Snowdon Triple Challenge.

Rachel said in a statement on her fundraiser: “As most of you know, earlier in the year I was diagnosed with Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma, also known as Waldenströms macroglobulinaemia, a non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (Blood cancer in the bone marrow).

“Current treatments are good; however, they can’t cure the disease, only lower the levels and keep it at bay.

“As I write this (July) I’m preparing for cycle five (of six) of chemotherapy, and I hope to go into Active Monitoring for as long as possible after number six before it reaches higher levels again and I go through some sort of treatment once more.

“One day there will be a cure, and if my running 26 miles around London can help raise some much-needed money towards that research then so be it.”

Her mission has already generated £4,260 of her £5,000 target.

The football star is a standout of the RAF Women’s team and is currently signed as a defender to Lincoln United WFC.

RAF Shawsbury said: “RAF Women’s footballer Corporal Rachael Howes was diagnosed with a rare type of blood cancer earlier this year, for which unfortunately there is currently no cure.

“But Rachel doesn’t give up and she embarked on a series of tough challenges to raise awareness and funds for Blood Cancer UK.

“Next year she will be running the London Marathon.”

Support her fundraiser here.