Hello everyone, my name is Luke I am gearing up to run my first ever marathon, the Edinburgh marathon on Sunday 26th May for a cause very personal to me.

Last year I received the worst news of my life when being diagnosed with Bowel Cancer at the age of 26.

I am on a mission to raise awareness and funds for Bowel Cancer UK to help and support other people out there who are suffering.

Bowel Cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and the second biggest killer. 1 in 15 Men and 1 in 18 Women are diagnosed with Bowel Cancer in their lifetime and early diagnosis is crucial for survival.

The last 12 months have been the most difficult period of my life, after undergoing major surgery to remove the cancer. Fortunately, Russels Hall Hospital gave me the best possible care and my treatment was successful giving me the ‘all clear’. I honestly cannot thank Russels Hall Hospital enough, I was looked after and cared for by the most incredible human beings I have ever met.

Having had a solid 4-5 months off work, running and training, I really struggled with the lack of routine and found it difficult having something I was so passionate about taken away from me.

Fast forward a few months, I was back exercising and gradually started to get stronger and stronger feeling more like my old self. 12 months on, I am fully recovered and back to my best. A few lifestyle tweaks have got me feeling the fittest and healthiest I have ever felt.

I am so grateful to be here today and are privileged with the opportunity to raise money for Bowel Cancer UK.

Thank you for reading my story, any donations will be hugely appreciated and will make such a huge difference❤️