Dear Family and Friends

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I remain very grateful for your fantastic support and generosity, when completing my first marathon for the children’s charity ‘Tommy’s’ in 2012.

As some of you already know, this year I am running the Brighton Marathon on 14th April, followed by the Edinburgh Marathon six weeks later, on 26th May. This double marathon challenge represents another equally worthy, yet more personal and poignant, endurance challenge.

On both occasions, I will be running in aid of Cancer Research UK, with the aim of raising a minimum of £1000 for this invaluable cause. On a personal level, I have witnessed the devastating effects of cancer, as it has claimed the lives of two of my uncles, Alvin and Roy. In addition, my uncle Dave is currently fighting the disease.

Uncle Alvin died tragically in 2000, at the age of just 40, from liver cancer. Uncle Roy, Alvin’s older brother, passed away in 2009, aged only 62, having suffered from cancer of the oesophagus. The impact on our family was understandably heart breaking. Uncle Dave, aged 66 and an avid athlete who is a veteran of several sub-three-hour London Marathons, is currently six years into his incredibly brave battle with pancreatic cancer, having been told only 1% of those diagnosed survive more than five years.

Throughout their struggles, my uncles’ sustained courage and positivity has been humbling, moving and inspirational. My reasons for running on behalf of Cancer Research UK are clear, and I believe it is the very least I can do to recognise the significant contribution that Alvin, Roy and Dave have made, and continue to make, to my outlook on life.

As my training progresses nicely, I would be hugely grateful for any contributions you are able to make to support the work of Cancer Research UK. If you would like to sponsor me, it is very easy to do so – please simply click 'donate' and follow the instructions.

With thanks,

Matt x 

 

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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.