As many of you know I lost my mum almost two years ago today after a 16 year long battle with cancer. It’s taken me this long to find the mental strength to do what I said to myself I’d do when she died, which was to do a series of challenging events for charity in memory of her.

As many of you know my mum was an incredible woman, to me she was one of the most important people in my life and doing these events in memory of her I feel is the least I owe her for being the amazing mum she was to me.

There are a couple of serious takeaways from the way my mum always approached things in her life; she always lived life to the fullest and always lived every day as if it was her last. I am very fortunate that she has embedded this into my mentality and I now live my life exactly the same as she did. Life is short and is for living.

It goes without saying those of you that know me well enough know that when I want something badly enough I do not let anything or anyone get in the way; what is about to come will show you all just that.

So, for me my first event is to undertake a marathon, something that’s been on the cards for years, but just never happened.

I will be undertaking the Seville Marathon on the 18th February 2024 and the Norfolk Marathon on the 28th April 2024. Other events are pending the arrival of my son due in June 2024, when I will be posting more on future events.

These are the easiest challenges of what is to come. I have challenges in my head that I will be sharing with you when I am ready, that will test me to the absolute limit just like cancer did my mum.

What I would appreciate from you all is your generosity and support in raising awareness and money for what I consider to be an amazing cause and a charity which helped my mum immensely before she passed away. That is the Priscilla Bacon Hospice in Norwich. They provided her with end-of-life care from her own home and having met some of the specialists that cared for my mum in her final days; what I would say is they were absolutely incredible and the recognition they deserve is far beyond what I can ever provide, but what I am about to do will go some way towards the recognition they deserve.

All I ask is you spare a small amount of money for a great cause, whether or not that’s £1, £10 or £100 I will be forever grateful for your support.

I will be posting updates as the weeks go on and you will be getting the obligatory marathon photo; when I am over the finish line.

Updates on future challenges will follow.

Thank you in Advance.

Ben Cliffe

The Priscilla Bacon Hospice Charity is committed to enhancing the experience of patients and their loved ones by supplementing the core services funded and delivered by the NHS at Priscilla Bacon Lodge.

They are fundraising to provide a comprehensive bereavement service, specialist equipment, enhanced catering, patient and family transport, and to maintain the beautiful gardens. They will also support research, education and training to improve care at the new Priscilla Bacon Lodge, across Norfolk, and beyond.