Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

In May 2022 I took part in my first Ultra Challenge (covering 58Km along the Jurassic Coast in just under 14 hours), raising funds for Young Lives vs Cancer. https://www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk/

This was my way of saying 'Thank you' for their support during my daughter's (Gemma) treatment.

Having completed the 'half' challenge however, I feel I have unfinished business and have decided to take on the FULL 100Km (CONTINUOUS) Jurassic Coast challenge on the 13th and into the 14th May 2023. Starting in Corfe Castle again, only this time, instead of finishing in Weymouth, I continue along Chesil Beach to West Bay and on to Bridport.

I know it will take in excess of 24, if not 30 hours to complete, but it's called an Ultra Challenge for a reason!

In September 2020, our daughter Gemma was diagnosed with a rare form of soft tissue cancer – Synovial Sarcoma, in her hip.

Gemma underwent 6 rounds of intensive chemotherapy starting in October 2020 for 5 months, followed by 5 weeks of daily radiotherapy in April 2021 and then major surgery to remove the primary tumour from her hip and a hip replacement in June 2021. 

A truly remarkable road to recovery following the surgery, which she still works hard to gain strength and restricted mobility. Gemma has remained positive and courageous throughout her treatment over the past 2+ years.

As the disease had spread to her lungs due to growth, in February 2022 Gemma started receiving a regular, but different, type of chemotherapy, which thankfully was a more gentle type, to help treat this Secondary Cancer and managed to stabilize for approximately an 8 month period.

However, cancer gets clever and as such, from November 2022 until March 2023 Gemma had been receiving another, not so gentle, course of chemotherapy to help treat the Secondary Cancer, which had helped in stabilizing matters. Circumstances have changed again however and Gemma is now receiving another form of chemotherapy to try and stabilize things.

Young Lives vs Cancer has been an extremely supportive Charity to us as a family. Gemma and I were able to stay in one of their 'Home from Homes' in Oxford prior to and during her surgery. They provide crucial support, advice and guidance on important aspects including work and finances. For every £38 raised, this ensures a family has a bed to sleep in close to where their child or young adult is receiving Cancer treatment.

Sarcomas are a rare form of Cancer that receive very little attention and often go undetected in young adults. So, please give what you can to this great cause, the work the team do is amazing and we will always be grateful.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.