In May 2021 my Dad got diagnosed with Stage IV bowel cancer. Whilst the main tumour is currently in a state with no measurable activity, the Speak family are very much living in a scan to scan world ('scanxiety' if you will).

94% of new bowel cancer cases appear in people over the age of 50, placing all of our parents in the high risk category. I’m aiming to raise funds for Bowel Research UK but crucially, I'm also trying to raise awareness - as if found in early stages bowel cancer is far less problematic.

Bowel Research UK do some amazing work in the space, focussing on bowel cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and other bowel disorders - with the overall aim of ending bowel cancer and bowel disease.

So what am I doing?

2024 is going to be a year of silly challenges for me and pushing myself out of my comfort zone.

7 January 2024 - I'll be doing a half ironman in Chile Pucon 70.3, just to wet the whistle...COMPLETED - got round in 6 hours and 3 minutes

7 April 2024 - I'll be doing my first ever marathon in Paris

21 April 2024 - Just 2 weeks later I'll be doing the London Marathon

Summer 2024 - more silliness to come...