Thanks for taking the time to donate for my Tough Mudder charity run.

Welcome to Pete's Pancreas Project. Many of you already know that in November 2011 a good friend's father, Mr Peter Dowen, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of 62, a month into his retirement. He underwent major surgery on 15th December at the Freeman Hospital Newcastle, to have this removed, along with his spleen. His tumour was subsequently found to be an extremely rare type of cancer called "Acinar cell" type, comprising around 1% of all pancreatic malignancies. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy, though there is little research to guide his doctors as to whether this will be beneficial.

Pete's Pancreas Project is a fundraising effort to finance some research to help people in a similar situation. "The Dowen Trust Fund" has been set up by my buddy and his father's surgeon at The Hepatobiliary Unit, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne.

We hope that by raising some money for this cause we can help other patients and their families who are faced with this diagnosis.

Last year I could not get down and muddy at the Tough Mudder in the UK so I promised to take it on in Australia.  So please donate - even a little - to help this great charity and help me make up for my no show last year!

So please dig deep and donate now.