Inspirational Rosalind celebrates health with marathon effort

When it happened to Bexhillian Rosalind Smith, she was left struggling to cope with the psychological impact of discovering that she was possibly the youngest person in Sussex to have contracted a rare bladder cancer.

That was a year ago, and last month Rosalind had the welcome news that treatment in the intervening months had left her clear of the cancer that threatened to wreck, or even end, her life.

A former television presenter, she has used the experience to re-evaluate her outlook and to be positive about the things that are important to her.

Last month she celebrated her return to fitness by running the Hastings half-marathon - 13 miles - in two hours, six minutes and raising money from sponsors for the Sara Lee Trust.

Rosalind said: "The Trust works out of St Michael's Hospice to provide therapies for people with cancer. When I was diagnosed in April 2009 they were there for me and got me through the psychological effects.

"I wanted to raise 150 to repay them for the free counselling and support which Joy, my counsellor, gave me - she was incredible - but due to amazing, generous people I've actually raised 430 and it's still rising."

Rosalind has lived in Bexhill since she was two years old, and was educated at St Richard's School and Bexhill College. Her parents were both local teachers and her family all live in the town.

She believes in being open about her illness and encouraging those who have, or have had, cancer to talk about it.

She said: "One of the scariest things about being diagnosed was when you tell people. They look at you differently, as if you are dying.

"The more we talk about cancer, especially young people, hopefully the easier it will be for the next youing person who is diagnosed to tell their family and friends, and to get the support they need."

Rosalind, now 24, said that her response since diagnosis had been to leave her job and to focus on travelling more and doing the things she feels passionate about.

She has already spent time in China and The Netherlands. In June she plans to travel around Canada and the USA, and said: "I want to go for my dreams and to get back into entertainment and fashion."