As you will tell from the title I am intending to attempt the Three Peaks Challenge. For more information you may want to have a look at the Three Peaks official website at www.thethreepeakschallenge.co.uk

So why am I doing it……

I guess this starts by my reaching that age when you start to try and do things you have put off as you just didn’t have the time whereas now you realise if you do not do it now you will be too old to try. But it is not just that. The real reason is that I want to try and support Cancer Research.

I do not know anyone that doesn’t have a story where cancer has touched their lives and it is clearly something we need to work together to eradicate. I am no different and my own personal story involves two people.

Firstly I was unfortunate enough to lose my father to lung cancer nearly two years ago. He was diagnosed with just over six months left to live and during this time fought bravely against the disease before passing away in May 2010. I saw him every day during that period, without exception, and I still miss him.

Within a month of his passing my mother in law was diagnosed with exactly the same form of cancer. Fortunately this was diagnosed earlier and despite a difficult period involving life threatening surgery I am delighted to say she is now in remission and continues to be a significant part of our life now and into the future.

The point of the story, and my doing this challenge, is that Cancer Research is continually pushing the boundaries or what we can do and how people can survive this disease. Without people in the past walking up and down hills in the pouring rain it may have been a different story. As a result of these people just like you and I, receiving the news that you have cancer is no longer a death sentence. Because of continued research and development many people will survive and enjoy their families for many decades to come.

In time we may even eradicate this disease entirely but it will not just happen…..

Cancer Research only manage to fight against cancer and seek preventions and cures through people such as you and your support and for that I thank you