Each month in 2016 I will be taking on at least one challenge be it walk, trek, run, cycle or swim. Some events I am currently doing on my own and I am extremely grateful that friends/family have kindly offered to join me on others. If you have any other event ideas and would like to get involved, please do get in touch. I will post regular training updates and event photos. These challenges are going to push my fitness to a level which I have never achieved. All in loving memory of my beautiful Mum who was very suddenly and unexpectedly taken away from us last year.

On 2nd January 2015, Mum was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) and was shockingly taken away from us only 18 days later. Although bile duct cancer is considered a ‘rare’ cancer, it is the second most common primary liver cancer in the world. The incidences of this devastating disease are increasing across all age groups, including younger people. The cause is unknown and much research is desperately required. By the time most people are diagnosed, the cancer is too advanced therefore surgery, currently the only potential cure, is not an option. Mum received misdiagnoses of acid reflux and gall stones in the months preceding her death, an earlier diagnosis could have given Mum a fighting chance or at least more precious time. Any cancer diagnosis is devastating however fewer than 5% of patients survive one year from a diagnosis of bile duct cancer. It caused 2,161 deaths (more than cervical cancer) in the UK in 2013. 

AMMF is the UK’s only cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) charity. Their objectives are to raise awareness, provide information and support specialised research teams in their work to find the causes, methods of earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments. Nothing will ever replace the huge impact Mum had on the lives she touched, we have had a massive part of our lives taken away. However, having experienced the trauma of bile duct cancer I want to raise money for AMMF so more people can survive it and less families have to lose a loved one to this illness. To think of them coping with this is truly heartbreaking.

I would appreciate any donation, no matter how great or small it all counts, so thank you for reading and hopefully donating. I'd like us to do everything in our power to prevent this disease from devastating the lives of others.

If you would prefer to donate by text the number you need is 70070 with the message SMSM52 followed by the amount. The service only accepts donation of £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10. So for example send SMSM52 £5 to 70070