Last year my dad, Steve, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. It came as quite a shock, especially as he didn't have any notable symptoms. He was lucky that, following some nagging from my mum (!), he caught it in time before it became a major issue and following an operation last autumn he has made a recovery. Dad has done amazing work spreading awareness and information about prostate cancer both on television and in person, and alongside organisations such as Prostate Cancer UK they will be changing peoples lives and the way that prostate cancer is viewed.

This got me thinking... what could I do?! Given dad's experience of swift action being of utmost importance, I didn't want to sit around on this for too long!

I am going to be taking part in a 100km (62 mile) Ultra Marathon event called the Thames Path Challenge on 14th September. Dad has run marathons in the past and so this felt quite fitting.

The route from Putney along the Thames path to Henley holds quite a lot of sentimental value as the home stretch is quite literally a home stretch for me! I have never attempted anything like this before; this will be a real physical and mental battle. Your support means a great deal, and the money raised will be going to an excellent cause.