In just over two weeks' time I am running the Hampton Court Half Marathon in memory of my family's great friend, Philip Gould, and to raise money for the fund set up in his name.

On 6th November 2011 Philip died after a three and a half year fight against Oesophageal Cancer. His fight against cancer was representative of the way he lived his life. His openness, resillience and honesty gave courage to many other cancer sufferers as well as his close friends and family. His book, When I Die: Lessons from the Death Zone, has similarly brought comfort to many. The Philip Gould Tribute Fund carries on the great work he started before his death, by continuing to raise awareness of this terrible disease and supporting vital research into  oesophageal cancers at the Royal Marsden. All donations will go towards Dr Jervoise Andreyev's study into digestive symptom control and Professor David Cunningham's research into genetic predisposition to oesophageal cancer and targeted drug responses.

Philip's widow Gail and two daughters, Georgia and Grace, remain terrifically important people in my life and I am doing this in part to show them how important Philip was to me and how his life and legacy will always be remembered.

I always associated Philip as a 'doer' and he always gave me the advice that if you are going to do something, you should give it 100% and do it to the best of your ability. With that in mind I assure you I have trained exceptionally hard for this half marathon and will run with application and effort in the way that Philip would expect of any endeavor associated with his name. He will very much be in my mind on the day.

I have set up this page specifically for friends of myself and my family who knew Philip and I am aiming to raise more money elsewhere from friends and donors who weren't lucky enough to know him but appreciate the importance of the fund set up in his name.

I would be very grateful if you could give a small (or even better a large) donation to the cause in Philip's name.

 

Thank you,

 

Rory Campbell