Next Spring it will be ten years since Me, Owen and Vaughan lost our Mum to Lung Cancer – she was only 44 years old – ten years older than I am now. She left behind a loving family, great friends and provided us all, with the most amazing memories. To me, she was the most amazingly caring and strong women, who taught me so much, I will always love her, miss her and never forgot her.

Those who know me well, know just how much I have always wanted to run the London Marathon, in her memory and will know that I have applied through the ballot across 5 different years and unfortunately been rejected. Fortunately this year (after applying through 22 separate charities and faced repeated rejection), I have just secured a place through an incredibly special charity called MACS - The Micro and Anophthalmic Children’s Society. 

Many people may not have heard of this charity prior to this post however, please read the attached link as the cause is truly incredible - ‘Supporting children born without eyes or underdeveloped eyes’. You don’t need to have children to appreciate just how valuable this charity is in supporting children and their families, in coping with this devastating condition, which often is coupled with learning difficulties and behavioural problems. http://www.macs.org.uk/images/mara-docs/corpleaflet.pdf 

As I have been lucky enough to gain a Golden Bond place to run the 26.2 miles through MACS, I am aiming to raise a target of £2500 – a compulsory £1250 for MACS and £1250 for Cancer Research UK, in memory of my Mum.

Considering 1 in 3 people are affected by Cancer, I know many of you will have been affected by this aggressive and indiscriminate disease that has also taken far too many of your loved ones away also. Only recently my Nana, Auntie, Grandad have battled or are battling with Cancer - not to mention my best friends’ parents, grandparents etc. This is why I want to do whatever I can to raise money, to hopefully one day find a way to beat this killer. Please help me reach my target by contributing whatever you can to my Just Giving page.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and double thanks if you could take the time and donate and help me mark this special ten year milestone. Whatever you can afford is massively appreciated to support me in raising money for two great causes - MACS and Cancer Research UK.

Thanks, Lewis xxx