When you grow up people say their hero is a footballer, a singer or an actor. But my heroes were my Dad and my Grandad. We lost my grandad 12 years ago due to bowel cancer and my family’s world changed forever. 

My grandad, Thomas ‘Tommy’ Daly would light up any room as soon as he walked in, all without saying a word and just his infectious smile radiating the room. He was like my second Dad. My love of football came from my Grandad and I’ll always remember my first game with my dad and my grandad, Aston Villa vs Wimbledon.

This  was the start of my love for Football and it has been a massive part of my life and what I enjoy ever since then. Every Saturday morning he was at my matches, without fail, dressed in his weekend best with his formal long coat. This used to make me laugh as everyone used to think the Chairman was here.

My Grandad and I shared a special bond, I would tell him everything while he took me everywhere with him. This started in my early years and continued right up until my teenage years. He would cook me his special fry up every Wednesday after picking me up from school and for me this was the absolute best day of the week. 

He was always there for me and always believed in me. We spoke about my dreams for the future and he had the ability and positivity to make me believe anything was possible. We spoke about attending University, which prior to me no one in my family ever done, and he told me it was all possible. My grandad was such a small jolly Irish man, and this continued throughout his cancer journey. 

In March 2008 my Grandad found out he had bowel cancer. Not one ounce of negativity was seen and his positivity and humour kept him going through this difficult time. He fought like the warrior he was and had surgery in late 2008. Post surgery my Grandad enjoyed another 3 years of which were filled with smiles, laughter and family. 

Unfortunately, in 2011 the cancer came back stronger and sadly it was too strong for him to fight. My Grandad,  my hero, my world sadly passed away in July 2011. 2014 was the year I graduated University and all my hard work paid off and I became a PE teacher.  This was a dream my Grandad and I had always spoke about, and now every day I think about my Grandad and wish he was still among us.

I unfortunately cannot make that a reality but what I can do is raise money for cancer research to ensure that they can help as many people as possible live a longer life with their loved ones. So next year in 2024 I am proud to say I will be running the London Marathon for Bowel Cancer in memory of my Grandad Tommy, my ultimate Hero. 

I truely appreciate any donations you can pledge to help me achieve my fundraising goal by April 2024… I promise I won’t skip this time