Ceyhun (known as Jay) is running for the charity Clic Sargent in memory of Tanyel, who lost her battle with cancer in January this year.

Ceyhun says: “Tanyel was our only child. She was full of life, full of energy, the most polite and inspirational girl you could ever meet. She was a caring, loving girl, who lived a full and happy life.”

Tanyel was first diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, just days after her 18th birthday, and was treated for two-and-a-half years by the Royal Marsden Teenage Cancer Care Unit in Sutton.

Throughout her illness, she remained positive, determined to beat the disease. Ceyhun says: “Tanyel never complained about anything. She just wanted to be a normal teenager.”

Tanyel met her fiancé Ozcan Mustafa and they became engaged in July 2015, celebrating with a party for family and friends at the Warren Met Police Sports Centre. Less than a year later the family returned to the Centre to celebrate her life.

After six months in remission, Tanyel’s cancer returned and, despite intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, she lost her fight and died in January.

Ceyhun ran the 2015 London Marathon, raising over £2,500 for Clic Sargent. Tanyel was there to meet him at the finish and Ceyhun handed her his medal. He says: “I’ll never forget that smile on her face.”

He’s running again this year for Clic Sargent to ‘give back’ to the Royal Marsden and help other children and their families. “Unfortunately Tanyel won’t be there to support her daddy, but I know she’ll be there in spirit to give me the energy I need to help others. It’s what she would have wanted.

“I’m so lucky and proud to have had such a beautiful, inspirational daughter for 20 years. I will run like the wind for her on the day and will be thinking about her from start to finish.”

Follow this link to sponsor Ceyhun: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SomeoneSpecial/Tanyel

Virgin Money London Marathon