This time six months ago all was not happy at Maskell HQ.

Pops was battling an extremely rare and agressive form of blood brain tumour (the likes of which have never been seen before in the UK) and the outlook was worse than bleak. In July he was given weeks to live, and the option to undertake a clinical trial chemotherapy drug, which it was hoped might give us a few months.

Seven months on, we're about to sit down to a roast at Maskell HQ. Pops has re-learnt how to walk, has fully regained his memory and life is getting back to normal. In January he had a MRI scan - the tumour has gone. His consultant has labelled him a miracle... Miracle Maskell - we're happy with that!

Quite simply, this would not be the case were it not for the fantastic care and treatment received from Addenbrooke's, especially the amazing doctors and nurses of Ward D6. Without the Leukaemia Research Fund paying for the trial which Pops undertook, this story would have a much less happy ending.

I'm therefore raising money for the fund, a part of Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust to make sure that there is money available for others to receive pioneering life-saving treatment.

If I can help one other family have an unanticipated Sunday roast, when they really didn't think that was ever going to happen, then that's certainly success.

The fact i'm swimming in the Great North Swim is a bit of a sideline... that's just the excuse to ask people to dig deep for the Leukaemia Research Fund.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

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.