One in two people in the UK will get cancer at some point in their lives

I know everyone reading this will have been affected by cancer or leukaemia at some point in their lives. I know I have, and I know many others that have, and how difficult that time has been.

I’m running the London marathon with Russell Smith to remember those we’ve lost, and wish we could have spent more time with.

We’re also running to support our friends and families that are fighting cancer today.

The money we raise will go to Young Lives vs Cancer (previously CLIC Sargent), which is the UK’s leading cancer charity for children, young people and their families.  Their care teams provide specialist support across the UK.

I would like to make special mention to James Moore who was a childhood friend of mine, and someone who lost his life to a brain tumour at just 9 years old. 

James lived a few doors down from me and we would regularly meet to play games at each other’s houses and over the park. At the time I knew that James was poorly but I didn’t really understand what that meant, and I always thought he would get better.

My profile picture is a photo of me and James together in 1989. This is how I remember him. I was very upset when he died and have often thought of him over the years.

James is one of many friends, family members and work colleagues that I know have battled cancer and leukaemia over the years.  I am dedicating this run to all of them, and I hope that some of the money Russell and I raise can go towards supporting young people and their families affected by cancer today and in the future.