Last year I decided to banish my fear of the water and learn to swim, so I signed up for a triathlon...and swimming lessons...!  However, I wanted to make this experience more than a personal challenge - I wanted to make it count for something, so I am fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Care in memory of my 'father-in-law' Don MacRae.  In the ten years or so that I knew Don, he became both family and a dear friend so that, in the end, I referred to him as 'DaddyTwo'!  Those who knew Don will remember what sort of man he was - he was so kind, caring and funny and, as his pupils also found, very knowledgeable and interesting. He was a true gent and generous to a fault.  He also refused to complain or ask anyone for anything which became particularly obvious when he became ill.

He was diagnosed with liver cancer and passed away peacefully at Cowal Hospice in Dunoon in the summer of 2008.  While it was an incredibly sad time for us all, we were very appreciative of the truly amazing care he received at the hospice.  The comfort, humour and dignity they brought to the end of his life is something for which we will always be grateful and which we can never repay.  Completing this triathlon for Macmillan is just my way of trying to say thanks.  Macmillan Cancer Care funded a GP and nursing staff to the hospice and they cared not only for Don but for us too. 

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