Hello All,

Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

So, having been a spectator of this inspirational event for too many years to recall, I have finally decided (in a moment of madness) to commit myself fully to running my first ever marathon - the 2017 London marathon!  All 26.2 miles of unforgiving roads!!

My motivation to run is for family members, friends and loved ones who have been affected by cancer. It seems everyone you speak to knows someone who is suffering (without ever complaining) and if there is anything we can do to try and come up with a cure for this disease then I think we should. I'm struck by how indiscriminate the illness is and how helpless we remain in so many cases. I want to run the marathon both to honour their extraordinary bravery in the face of the cruellest of illnesses and to support the vital research into the causes and treatment of cancer made possible by the work of Cancer Research UK. Your donation will go straight to the frontline in the fight against cancer. Go to http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-us for more information.

Running the marathon provides an opportunity to recount the story of a great family friend who eventually yielded to throat cancer, but not without an incredible and humbling fight against the odds. His battle began on D-Day and I am positive it sowed the seeds of unwavering courage in the face of adversity to not let anything ever get the better of him. The adage: 'what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger' rings true in his case. George Stow piloted one of twenty-five beach landing craft (fifty per cent never returned) and when asked his thoughts on surviving not only the first wave, but a further two landings, his response was simply: "bloody angry!” This unique take on life remained with him until the end. In my youth, I visited the beaches in France with him, he could not make it to the commemorative cemetery too overcome by emotion, however I continued in his wake... a memory I'll forever cherish because of him. Growing up I only ever knew him with the aid of a voice box, but many spoke of his charismatic singing voice. I remember him pressing his throat to sing the lyrics to Frank Sinatra's 'My Way' with an infectious beaming smile. As a family, we nursed him through his final months. Royal Marsden Hospital’s diagnosis gave him six weeks; to the surprise of consultants he lived a further six years. Healthy living and research based treatment without doubt contributed immensely, but his spirit and willpower above all. I remember my visiting his ward and how he managed to effortlessly cause the staff rapturous laughter. It was the same for everyone he touched, including me. I will run in the knowledge that he would have wanted me to live life, but earn every moment of it.... or rather milestone of it!

While the training is tough it is such a fantastic opportunity to raise a lot money for a great cause and to help support this essential charity.

So please dig deep and donate now as little or as much as you can. We can make a difference and beat cancer sooner.

Thanks!

Giving through JustGiving

Please remember it makes a huge difference by ticking Gift Aid when making your online donation - for every £1 donated, Cancer Research can claim an extra 25p from the Inland Revenue for UK taxpayers if you make a Gift Aid declaration. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure.

Every little helps!