It was the most awful shock to his family and friends when, in April 2012, our middle son Matti was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer.  He had suffered increasingly from weight loss and some other symptoms but none of us suspected, at just 30, Matti would have cancer. We were distraught.

Following initial surgery (illieostomy), and consultations at a South London hospital, Matti was referred to the Royal Marsden in Chelsea, London, where a team of specialists had been reviewing his case since the first scans and diagnosis. The support and treatment he went on to receive at the Marsden saved Matti's life.

The Marsden decided to try to reduce the tumour, rather than operating at once, to increase chances of a safe removal. Over 18 months - and with many ups and downs - Matti went through 6 operations, 6 months' intravaneous chemotherapy and a 6 week course of chemo-radiation (chemo combined with radiation).  

Throughout all this Matti pursued as healthy and nutritious a life as he could - with inspirational support from his partner Rachel, and also amazing backing from the rest of his family, friends and friends of friends beyond that.  His 'miniature' (but in fact large and lusty) Schnauzer puppy Bailey also provided cheer. Bailey helped ensure that they were out regularly walking on Wandsworth and Clapham Commons, provided fresh air and helping Matti mentally and physically.

Matti managed to continue working more or less throughout his treatment and also kept in close touch with the Berkhamsted Old Boys Football Club which he has been managing for some years now.

All this provided an element of comfort and normality, given the starkness of the health problems Matti was facing. His tenacity and optimism became a towering example for the rest of us.

On 14 February 2013 Matti was informed that following a major and very complex operation - some features of which were groundbreaking - his Bowel Cancer was cleared and he  was now in remission.

The story did not stop there, as Matti had to continue chemo to ensure all microscopic disease was killed off; and was then, very distressingly, diagnosed with a second - and entirely unrelated - cancer in his thyroid.  Thankfully this form of cancer was more easily treatable and, although an annoyance, Matti was assured after the surgery there should be no longer term damage.

It's been a gruelling time for Matti and exceptionally preoccupying for all of us around him. His large group fo friends in London and further afield have provided constant encouragement and support. Matti now wants to live his life to the full. Late last year Rachel and he got engaged during a holiday in St Lucia, providing a big dose of Christmas cheer.... Matti has started running again, and on an unusually sunny afternoon in a bleak and wet winter Annie and I watched him play football for the first time in two years in London in  early January.

In the months ahead Matti plans a number of fundraising challenges.  The easiest  is probably the Marsden London March on 16 March, which Annie and I will also participate in - as members of Team Nash & Friends under Captain Matti.

Later on in the year Matti will tackle the difficult Ridgeway Walk, and then - in April - another climbing the Three Peaks; and in May, in connection with older brother Anders' and Lisbeth's wedding in Lima, he will be fundraising with a group of friends on the Machu Picchu Trail.

Please help us if you can by contributing a little to our chosen Royal  Marsden Charity. It is a noble cause. As  we know from the experiences of so many friends, not many of our families will escape a brush with cancer at some point; and whether there is recovery or not the experience is life changing.

The Marsden treats NHS and private patients alike and, as noted, supports and underpins with its medical excellence the work of hospitals over a much wider area. The Marsden is also a leading centre of cancer research in the UK. If you can give a little -through this JustGiving website - you will become part of its large community of helpers and supporters.

You will also help Matti achieve his charitable ambitions!

Thank you