Update June 24

It is with a broken heart that I write this post.

Today I held my first and last ever superhero in my arms as he lost his fight for life.

Dad Tony Scougal, avid Fundraiser for Ovarian Cancer Action in Mums Memory, passed away on 2.6.24 succumbing to his own short lived and aggressive cancer.

The fight he put up to stay with us this week was a testament to just how much he loved to be alive. What an absolute warrior, he truly did go out on his shield.

The amazing team at Eden Valley Hospice were an absolute shining example of care, compassion and dignity at a truly difficult time as they looked after him in his final week with us.

Many thanks also go to some of the staff who have treat Dad over the last 5 months at The Freeman Hospital in Newcastle and The CIC Carlisle, particularly the A&E Staff on shift on Monday when we arrived.

I feel you should know that he often worked in the shadows so that you could all sleep soundly at night, defending the realm, protecting Queen, country and its citizens from things you will only see on film or read about in books, he was a real life hero.

Tony to some…

Dad to us…

Granada to lots…

Great Granada to one just last week…

Sir, Boss, Legend, A Gentlemen to many…

Best mate to me.

Thank you for being you Dad, now go get those dancing shoes on, Mum’s been waiting for her Foxtrot for 3 years! 😀

R.I.P Dad, YNWA

Barrie

19:02:50- 02:06:24

“Regnum Defende”

Message from Marie, June 30th 2023. 

Here I go again, this time a solo run but I am under no illusion that I am actually on my own, I have all the Scougal family running alongside me, every step of the way. 

I am running the Great North Run in September 2023 for the most amazing charity and it is a privilege to be able to run again for the Ovarian Cancer Action team. 

As everyone knows, so many amazing people do their bit for charities and without the support from all their donations, it would make life a little bit harder for any given particular charity. 

My reason! 

I am a fairly fit, healthy wife, mum and woman at 44 years of age all I have to do is just run 13 miles, it’s a few months of regular training, with a team of people working with me helping me get ready for it. But, I am on the wrong side of 40, under no illusion that things happen when you least expect it, and right now...I’m living my best life, how lucky I’m I! 

Reaching this lovely age and as I have an opportunity to do, I can reflect on where I am today and the ones that I love that sadly can't. To date, I have lost a beautiful cousin at 38 and an Aunt by the time she was my age to cancer. 

If you are reading this, I want you to imagine that you have just been told you have to endure months and months of various physical challenges (chemotherapy, radiotherapy etc) and that the course the medical professionals have planned for you, will be like an ultra marathon, it will regularly push your body and mind to the limit, and the best bit is…you never wanted to sign up for it! EVER!!!! 

This is only what I imagine it is like, to be told you have any form of Cancer. 

I have sadly witnessed first-hand the impact the challenge of this disease has from the medications, the treatments, and operations and then throw in having to watch the ones they love faces, the emotional challenges that - that brings to your door,  hear them praying, the will of true love from a look to make you feel better, to the wish that they could take their place, then to hear the words that after all the treatment, it was all worth it… you are cancer-free! 🤯🥳

But sadly, this sometimes isn’t the outcome. and you’re being told that this battle has a time limit, that in layman’s terms, you only have a set time to live. 

Those were sadly the words Margaret (my wonderful human of a mother-in-law) was told. Her light wasn’t able to shine ( but boy did she give it all she had, her fight was inspirational, and the grit and determination to see all that she could, will stay with me forever, that’s her legacy… she was a lioness!) 

Why do it? Why run again???

I recently watched a program about cancer and how it’s evolved over the years, how the treatment 40 years ago, had improved to the present day, it triggered my mind, the lady said “My mum died and didn’t see her grandchildren, but this has lead to me now having new treatment so I can see mine” how selfless is that; to believe that her mum lost the flight but the research has allowed us to learn better, and treat better.

THAT'S WHY I AM RUNNING! TO RAISE AS MUCH AS I CAN FOR O.C.A as I can, to make a difference and help the research team beat this Sh1T disease 🦠

Barrie and I have two beautiful 🤩 girls, they are just 5 and a 3-year-old, Here’s hoping they live to see their Great Grand Children. And finally, say “What's cancer?”

What can you do?

🙏🏻 Please spare what you can, miss out on that coffee, don’t buy that bottle of wine, or the plant in the supermarket, give it to a charity that’s desperate to make a change and find a cure for this disease. 

I have loads of things planned, coffee mornings, yoga 🧘‍♀️ events, girls dress to impress over wine night, gym for kids do, fun stuff we can enjoy together and rise awareness of OCA at the same time. 

In the meantime, if you see this old lass running, give her a pip, a wave or shout… “go on lass”! 

I want to thank you for taking the time to read this, and for all the continued support you have shown.

Barrie- My reason: A story about my Mum.

Mum fought the fight for over 4 years to beat Ovarian Cancer and taught, and reminded, those closest to her about “Positivity”, about “Standards”, about “Service”, about “Caring”.

All of those qualities that I pride myself on, they were installed in me from day one.

She painted my very first PT Studio with me in 2013 and glossed every skirting board, twice, in 2017 when we moved to our current site. She trained 3 times a week for years firstly with me and then the team.

She hated kettlebells, squats and sweating….I was screwed from day one! But her training helped her maintain her strength to sustain her treatments over the last few years, the doctors comments as much. So I’m glad she persisted! She completed our intensive Challenge 10 program and was a Member of the Week years ago in celebration of her achievements, now, this is in her memory. I can just imagine knowing her face laughing at me even contemplating doing a marathon, she knew my thoughts on running for "fitness'! Mum, Margaret Anne Scougal, died at 8am on Sunday, 27th June 2021, at home and whilst in the presence of our immediate family. I want those reading this to know my Mum's story, I would climb to the top of the Civic Centre in Carlisle and shout it if I could, because she deserves it and because she helped me become the man I am today and in turn shaped the business I run today. Instead, however, me and Marie will run through the streets of London in her honour!

She set standards all her life at home and at work.She reached them.

She then exceeded them again and raised the bar. She was fearless, a leader and a caring inspirational nurse, but an even better wife, Mum and Nanna.

As a state registered nurse Margaret worked in a couple of care homes in Kendal before securing a post at the elderly care unit in Kendal Green Hospital, Kendal. On moving to Carlisle, she secured similar employment as a staff nurse in the orthopaedic unit at the Cumberland Infirmary. She progressed to ward sister and took charge of a newly formed ward that specialised in hip and knee replacement. Securing degrees and diplomas in various aspects of healthcare and business management, she established herself as a formidable nurse and returned to mainstream orthopaedics on the Princess Louise ward.

She was then selected to join the ‘Collaborative’ which was a small group of senior nurses, consultants and surgeons whom the NHS Trust assembled to tour specific UK hospitals seeking out best practice and excellence in the delivery of, and training of, matters relevant to Orthopaedic nursing, surgery and treatment. This part-time nationwide tour lasted over a year and resulted in significant changes in how NHS Trusts formulated the provision of healthcare in this particular field .

Margaret was appointed business manger for 6 months and was then promoted to Matron of Orthopaedics in the Cumberland Infirmary. She was on the design team for the current building (CIC) and successfully reminded the powers that be that the doors needed to be widened to get the beds into and out of every ward, and that more working space was needed by practitioners delivering healthcare. She stepped forward and pointed out the mistakes that had been made from the ‘nursing perspective’. The designs were rectified prior to the commencement of building work.

Years later, her eldest grandson, Daniel, was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation (a rare condition relative to the position of the brain in the skull). Despite its rarity, Daniel’s ailment was diagnosed by a time-served Staff Nurse on the Children’s Ward at the CIC. This led directly to surgical intervention at Newcastle and the Birmingham Childrens Hospital as well as successful treatment. It became obvious that locally, in medical practices throughout Cumbria, the condition of Chiari Malformation was not well known. Mum wrote a paper on the subject and delivered it to scores of medical practices with a covering letter of explanation. Her exposition on the subject was well received.

After her death, many of her friends and colleagues have confirmed to the family that she was something of a legend in the wards and corridors of the Cumberland Infirmary. She is described as an inspiration, a woman of courage, and a true leader who stood up for her staff and represented them well when problems occurred within and without the organisation.

Mum set standards for herself, her work, her staff, and her family. She reached them, reset the bar, and reached them again. Perhaps the greatest accolade one could bestow upon her is to acknowledge that when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2017 she spent the rest of her life being treated by the very nurses that she had trained in their younger days. She knew everything that was happening to her every step of the way and never faltered in the support she gave to those she had once trained and who now treated her.

Margaret Scougal was something special to so many in the nursing community as well as her friends and family.Mum, I'll run the marathon and raise some cash to try and help the next lady and family who has to go through what you did, what we did, and I know you will be with us every step of the way, but watching, not running, cos that would mean sweating, and I know that wasn't part of your plan! Barrie Mark ScougalMarie- My reason.

26 miles is a bloody long way, I’m thinking jeezz that’s one long heavy going commitment plan. I need to push my body through things it’s never done, take my mind to a place that gets me to the end. How am I going to do it? I have questioned it all since we got the green light saying we can do it, but really all the above is nothing, it’s a challenge that I excepted - indeed I invited into my life, our families life, into our home, moving forward I can imagine there to be a hive of activity leading Barrie and I to that day.

As a woman, a Mum, a wife, and a friend I can never wish to imagine what it’s like to be told I have Cancer, sadly though I have had to watch many I love, live, and go through the hell this C-word can bring to your door. I’m blessed to have people who have survived around me, to know their victories and hope, but I also have lost beautiful souls to it, various ‘types’ of Cancer but ultimately cancer won… and to witness first hand the determination and grit they have given will indeed be an inspiration to me when I feel I’m unsure if I can do it. 

I am running in memory of my Mother in Law who sadly passed away of Ovarian Cancer earlier this year, I can’t begin to tell you how amazing she was, a wonderful mum and Nana just isn’t enough. But with her in my mind, I want everyone to know I will take with me my thoughts of the survivors, the people I have lost, and hope that with every step I take in this legendary Marathon alongside the pennies we hope to raise will go, someway to help. Marie Scougal

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Barrie & Marie Scougal

Marie, June 30th 2023. 

Here I go again, this time a solo run but I am under no illusion that I am actually on my own, I have all the Scougal family running along side me, every step of the way. 

I am running the Great North Run for the most amazing charity and it is a privilege to be able to run again for Ovarian Cancer Action team. 

As everyone knows, so many amazing people do their bit for charities and without the support from all their donations, it would make life a little bit harder for any given particular charity. 

My reason! 

I am a fairly fit, healthy wife, mum and woman at 44 years of age all I have to do is just run 13 miles, it’s a few months of regular training, with a team of people working with me helping me get ready for it. But, I am on the wrong side of 40, under no illusion that things happen when you least expect it, and right now...I’m living my best life, how lucky I’m I! 

Reaching this lovely age and as I have an opportunity to do, I can reflect on where I am today and the ones that I love that sadly can't. To date I have lost a beautiful cousin at 38 and an Aunt by the time she was my age to cancer. 

If your reading this, I want you to imagine that you have just been told you have to endure months and months of various physical challenges (chemotherapy, radiotherapy etc) that the course the medical professionals have planned for you, will be like an ultra marathon, it will regularly push your body and mind to the limit, and the best bit is…you never wanted to sign up for it! EVER!!!! 

This is only what I imagine it like, to be told you have any form of Cancer. 

I have sadly witnessed first-hand the impact the challenge of this disease has from the medications, the treatments, and operations and then throw in having to watch the ones they love faces, the emotional challenges that - that brings to your door,  hear them praying, the will of true love from a look to make you feel better, to the wish that they could take their place, then to hear the words that after all the treatment, it was all worth it… you are cancer free! 🤯🥳

But sadly, this sometimes isn’t the outcome. and you’re being told that this battle has a time limit, that in layman’s terms you only having a set time to live. 

That were sadly the words Margaret (my wonderful human of a mother in law) was told, her light wasn’t able to shine ( but boy did she give it all she had, her fight was inspirational, the grit and determination to see all that she could, will stay with me forever, that’s her legacy… she was a lioness!) 

Why do it? Why run again???

I recently watched a program about cancer and how it’s evolved over the years, how the treatment 40 years ago, had improved to the present day, it triggered my mind, the lady said “my mum died and didn’t see her grandchildren, but this has lead to me now having new treatment so I can see mine” how selfless is that; to believe that her mum lost the flight but the research has allowed us to learn better, and treat better.

THAT'S WHY I AM RUNNING! TO RAISE AS MUCH AS I CAN FOR O.C.A as I can, to make a difference and help the research team beat this Sh1T disease 🦠

Barrie and I have two beautiful 🤩 girls, they are just 5 and a 3-year-old, here’s hoping they live to see their Great Grand Children. And finally say “What's cancer?”

What can you do?

🙏🏻 please spare what you can, miss out on that coffee, don’t buy that bottle of wine, or the plant in the supermarket,give it to a charity that’s desperate to make a change and find a cure for this disease. 

I have loads of things planned, coffee mornings, yoga 🧘‍♀️ events, girls dress to impress over wine night, gym for kids do, fun stuff we can enjoy together and rise awareness of OCA at the same time. 

In the meantime, if you see this old lass running, give her a pip, a wave or shout… “go on lass”! 

I want to thank you for taking the time to read this, and for all the continued support you have shown. Below is the link to donate to our JustGiving page if you can spare a few pounds.