In July 2019, my 20-year-old daughter Lily, was diagnosed with cancer, in the form of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Like many of us, when you hear the C word you go into emotional panic overdrive. I’m an ex-cop who’s experienced unimaginable horror without batting an eyelid, but I think I cried everyday for the first 6 weeks of this.

When we finally got to the Christie, Lily asked the specialist nurse if she actually needed treatment (she was asymptomatic other than a lump in her neck). The nurse said 'yes'. Lily asked her if she didn't have any, how long she had to live. The nurse said '12 months'. Very sobering!

For 6 months Lily received chemotherapy at the renowned Christie Hospital in Withington, Manchester. In March this year we had the wonderful news that she had gone in to remission. She will now have regular checkups for 5 years.

I feel compelled to raise some money for an organisation that save lives and provides support for those feeling as helpless as I did.

One thing I'm sure of, is that at some point in your life you WILL be affected by cancer in some way. Two of my ex-colleagues and good friends and also my Mother in Law, Mal, are currently fighting their own personal battles with cancer. This is for them as well.

On Monday the 21st of September 2020, I’m going to complete an Ironman 70.3 triathlon in The Lake District.

It’s a 1.2-mile swim in Coniston, 56-mile bike ride, followed by a half marathon (13.1 miles), and it all has to be done within 8.5 hours.

I’m 56 years old, creaking at the joints and seams, never done a challenge of this magnitude, and oh, I hate running. This is going to be tough!

I have a Facebook group called Ironman 70.3 for The Christie. Please feel free to visit and check on my progress. https://m.facebook.com/groups/208419803664468/?ref=group_browse

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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