In 2023 I have set myself the challenge of walking the Cotswold Way.

When I was 10 years old, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, in my left tibia. After a series of chemotherapy and more operations than I can count, I eventually lost my leg when I was 13.

For many years I've thought about walking a long distance footpath, but owing to the difficulties of walking with an artificial leg day after day, I've never done it. Last year, while enjoying a morning up Dover's Hill, near the start of the Cotswold Way, it occurred to me that I didn't have to walk a path continuously if it was relatively close to where I lived. I'm therefore walking the Cotswold Way over the course of a number of months. Some stages I will walk on my own, others with my family and others with friends.

Although I lost my leg, I was undoubtedly lucky. The five year survival rate for osteosarcoma is only 50-55%. This has barely changed since I had osteosarcoma many years ago. Although the biggest factor in treating bone cancers such as osteosarcoma is early detection, more research could save the lives of young people (osteosarcoma predominantly affects teenagers, although it can occur in adults). I'm therefore raising money for the Bone Cancer Research Trust.

The Bone Cancer Research Trust is dedicated to saving lives & improving outcomes for people affected by primary bone cancer. Despite being small, they fund more research projects exploring primary bone cancer than any other organisation. Other large UK cancer research charities do not prioritise bone cancer patients, in 2019 just 0.028% of their research spend went to bone cancer – not even close to 1%!

Last year alone, Bone Cancer Research Trust committed an incredible £807,824 to pioneering bone cancer research - to save lives!

Please make a donation to this excellent charity if you are able to and check back here periodically over 2023 to see updates on my progress!