Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I'm running the Plymouth Half Marathon this year on behalf of my good friend Mark Gregory, who this year is unable to run it himself as he was very recently diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer.

Please have a read of Mark's story and donate generously! -

"Having previously ran the Plymouth Half Marathon twice in the past three years, I was planning to make 2014 my third run to raise money for some worthy causes though this is no longer possible this year due to currently having my own personal battle with Cancer...

Having previously contracted pneumonia in August, I continued to visit the doctors to complain of chest pains where the pneumonia first started.  After a number of X-Rays and scans, by pure chance, in November a CT scan picked up a lump in my neck.  After even more tests, on December 9 2013 I was diagnosed with having Medullary Thyroid Cancer.  In early January I went through major surgery to remove most of the Cancer as well as my thyroid and lymph nodes and am now waiting for the next stage of treatment.

Though this may come to a shock to some, those who have been aware of this know that I am determined to win my battle!  I am disappointed to not be able to run the half marathon this year for two reasons.  One being the feeling of achievement from crossing that line!  And the other being raising money for worthy causes.

After Christmas, I suggested to a few people that they run the Half Marathon on my behalf, and I've been overwhelmed by the number of people, mainly non runners, who have volunteered!  I have set up this page to be the central team page for 'Team Savo' (Savo is my nickname at home) and the team will be raising money for my chosen charities 'Reubens Retreat' & 'Macmillan Cancer Support(The Mustard Tree, Plymouth)'.  Due to the way Just Giving is set up, we are unable to raise for two charities at the same time so I feel it is fair that people have the choice who they feel they wish to support, or split your donation between the two charities.

Also, for the Vodafone employees who are running, if they set up an individual code for themselves then Vodafone will match every pound donated!  So if they raise £300, Vodafone will provide an additional £300 to that charity!!  The original intention was to raise all on one code but by doing it this way we can get more donations for the charities."

This page is set up to raise money for Reubens Retreat, you can google the charity to realise what Reubens brave parents, family and friends are all looking to achieve though below is a brief summary of Reubens Journey.  Please give generously to this great cause!

Every parents worse nightmare

Reuben was enjoying a family holiday in Devon; he was his usual happy self, having fun crabbing with his older brother Isaac. Reuben had been ill for 3 weeks on and off and despite several Doctors visits, nobody was unduly worried.  He would be sick in a morning and then he would recover within minutes and be fine for the rest of the day.  A tell-tale sign for things to come, but never in their wildest nightmares could they have known what was about to happen.

Reuben had a fall and became pale and distressed, his worried parents took him to A & E at Barnstaple Hospital and when Reuben failed to respond to some routine tests he was sent for a CT scan. The scan showed a large mass on his brain they suspected to be a tumour.

He was quickly transferred to the neurological unit at Frenchay Hospital by air ambulance where he underwent hours of surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain. Plans were quickly put in place for further surgery but sadly Reuben arrested during the night and his organs began to fail, despite fighting his way through another 5 hour operation some two days later he was too poorly to undergo any further surgery. He was transferred again to PICU at Bristol Children’s Hospital so they could help his organs to recover.  Reuben fell asleep in his Mummy’s arms on Tuesday 21st August 2012

The diagnosis

Reuben had suffered an ATRT which is Atypical terratoid rhabdoid tumour, it is a very rare and aggressive form of Cancerous tumour, only 4 to 5 children will be diagnosed with this tumour in the UK per year and there are very few symptoms.

A legacy in his name 

 

Despite the devastating grief that comes when a quarter of your family is gone, his brave and inspirational parents have set up a charity in his name, they plan to have a retreat in the north west countryside for children with life limiting and life threatening illnesses, with a support and bereavement counselling centre for Mummy’s, Daddy’s and Siblings who have lost their precious children. A place where families can take in the rolling hills and countryside, a place of comfort, peace and tranquillity, a place where memories can be built.