It's not been a great year for anyone but mine and my family's was made much worse by my mum dying from cancer on October 3rd. She died at QA Hospital on their oncology ward after spending roughly 3 weeks in their care. I am very grateful to everyone on the ward who was super caring, kind and kept her comfortable in her final days as well as supported our family. They were also brilliant in getting her treatment sorted super quickly.

Christmas Eve is her birthday. Instead of moping around feeling sad (which is also fine but I have done lots of that), I want to do something to remember her on her day and raise some money for the oncology ward at QA Hospital. I am going to run 34 miles (I have never ran more than a mara, and I've def not done the training) to QA Hospital from Petersfield and back.

Check the route out here: https://www.strava.com/routes/2773258224724326240 - we will be starting at 9:30 a.m from the Harrow Inn, Steep, Hampshire. Feel free to wear something festive!

I will be sharing the odd video on my Facebook Live and will be posting stuff on Instagram Stories - you can also follow me on Strava.

It would be great to raise as much money for the ward as possible. If you've got a few quid spare, please feel free to donate. If not, then please just share the page across social media. Thanks so much!

Massive thanks to Joe Wade & HOKA ONE ONE who are very kindly supporting me on this run with social and feet based support (Clifton 7 shoes!). My mate Oliver is going to ride along the whole route with me (he is so handsome) and I'd love as many people to come out and run with me as possible. I think we can only run in groups of 6 due to COVID... I am not going to be running fast, so anyone can feel free to join and do some festive charitable miles.

About the charity:  "The Portsmouth Hospitals Charity aims to serve the patients of Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust by providing additional facilities, education and equipment to both patients and staff .The charity supports all of the wards and departments throughout the Trust, so from new borns to neurology, bones to brains, you can choose to support the particular area of the hospital that is close to your heart." 

Edit Dec 16th: I've spoken to the charity and they have confirmed that all the money raised will go to the Cancer Services charitable fund which covers the Oncology Department. In specific, the money will go towards where the need is greatest on the department - and I have asked that it would be used to fund the purchase of some exercise bikes for patients to use to keep fit when they are on the ward. This was mentioned to me as a need by a nurse when mum was in there. Exercise is good for both rehab and mental health.

I am still so sad about losing my lovely little mum, and writing this fills my eyes with tears but I know she would say "Oh Jhonny, that's such a long way - make sure you'll be OK" - and I will be OK with her in my heart and a few more tears in my eyes.

#BigFransBdayUltra