In September 2017, I completed the Great North Run (half marathon) and vowed "there's not a cat in hells chance that I'm going to run twice that distance", and yet on the 20th October 2019 that's exactly what I am doing - running a MARATHON - the ASDA Foundation Yorkshire Marathon. 

So why have I changed my mind ? A cause. Something close to my heart.  Someone close to my heart.  In May 2017, my wife Gayle was diagnosed with a blood cancer - Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL).  Her world turned upside down, the diagnosis hit hard, mentally as much as anything.  Thankfully, 2 years later, following a successful, yet tough, cycle of 6 months of FCR treatment, Gayle received the fabulous news that she is in remission and CLL free - a great outcome.  But the 6 months of treatment were tough, physically tough and emotionally too.  Chemotherapy treatment is severe and your body takes a battering, and months to recover post treatment.

My marathon torture then is insignificant compared to being diagnosed and treated for cancer. 

During the last 2 years, Gayle has received great support from both the SROMC at Harrogate hospital and the CLLSA - the latter, a patient led UK charity that supports CLL patients and their families with advice, information and re-assurance about CLL and treatments.  The support to Gayle from the CLLSA has been invaluable.  They're a really small charity that make a really big difference to CLL patients and their families.

And so my marathon challenge is in support of Gayle and the CLLSA.  If you can spare a few pounds to donate to my cause and in turn support the charity that supported Gayle over the last 2 years, that'd mean the world to me and help spur me on to finish my training and compete the marathon distance on 20th October of 26 miles (or think of it as 42 km or 4 x Abbey Dash or 8 x Park Runs). 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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.