My Dad Jay Matthews Taxi Driver

From a young girl I watched my dad achieve many half marathons & complete the London Marathon.

2 years ago whilst having a chat I mentioned in my lifetime I would like to take on the challenge of training to run our local half marathon to which my dad agreed to do it with me. Due to unforseen events ( me breaking my foot and the following year becoming pregnant) we had to put off the run, with my baby due in January 2012 our aim was for 2013!

But in December 2012 we took a devasting blow after a few weeks of being unwell a blood test revealled my dad was suffering with liver cancer. With vital scans needed to see if the cancer was contained we had to wait 2 painfull weeks over the christmas and new year period. At last he received his appointments and had his CT&MRI scans, they didnt bring the news we were hoping for! The cancer was worse and more severe than anyone thought, he had cancer in the Liver, Lungs, esophagus and shadowing in his bones, our worlds were crashing down around us. I watched my dad deteriorate quickly, the strong man i knew was drastically loosing weight, couldnt enjoy the things he'd like to eat, very sleepy, on lots of medication and there was nothing i could do about it.

St Margarets Hospice helped keep my dad at home with a palative care nurse visiting & when that day came that he may enter the hospice for good I was postive he would get the care needed. With no treatment available to him my dads battle with cancer ended on 3rd February 2012 aged 57 years.

  So the run turned from father and daughter running it together to me now doing it In Memory Of My Dad!

My wish for him to hold his new baby grand-daughter was achieved but so upset he wont in person see her and my son grow up.

So this is where we are today, after persuading one of my closest friends Gemma to complete this with me she took up the challenge. We are raising money for St Margarets Hospice & The Beacon Centre at Musgove Park Hospital the money raised will go into helping research cancer and vital equipment.

I am asking from the bottom of my heart please support us and donate anything you can, Just Giving is simple, fast and totally secure & if your a UK taxpayer please tick the box to gift aid it.

This run means the world to me im doing it for you dad and I hope we make you proud. xxxxx