We are fundraising as a big team and have some messages for everyone donating below! Thank you x

Ceri says:

When we decided to run Manchester Half, it was before my Dad, Bill, had passed away in February of this year and I didn’t intend to be sponsored - it was just something we all agreed to do after a night out!

However, inspired by Dad, I’m now asking those who are able to donate to support us. Dad was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in November 2021. Everyone who knew him will know that he kept remarkably active during his cancer treatment and, determined as ever to have a positive impact, raised money for Cancer Research UK (https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/williams-cycle-300-giving-page-13) and the StarBox Fund (https://www.justgiving.com/page/william-fowler-1690191211158) by cycling throughout his treatment. When he passed away at the end of February, it was heartening to see friends and family still donating to his previous fundraising efforts, and to know the impact he'd managed to make.

So, when multiple friends suggested fundraising in his memory at the Half Marathon, it seemed an appropriate tribute (although Dad always preferred two wheels to two feet..!). We're raising money for Cancer Research UK, a charity which Dad previously supported.

I am really grateful to Ben, Jen, Lotte, Char, Sam, Alex and Harry for joining me in running and fundraising, and to everyone visiting this page to donate! If we can get anywhere near Dad's amazing fundraising efforts I will be thrilled x

Ben says:

Bill was an amazing man. He raised the kindest, cleverest, most principled person I have ever met, and he wasn’t far off the second most.

I did spend time with Bill, but one of my biggest regrets is that I wasn’t able to spend more time getting to know him in the same way that Ceri got to know my mum during her cancer treatment in lockdown.

I would have loved to have gone cycling and mountain climbing with Bill, he showed me his VO2 Max on his watch during the later stages of his treatment, and it was still better than mine!

My mum was lucky enough to get better, but Bill wasn’t, and any money we raise might help improve treatments in the future.

Any donation is really appreciated.

Harry says:

Hearing about Ceri's dad and Ben's mum really made me realise how sudden a diagnosis and brutal a journey cancer can be. Earlier this year my dad was diagnosed with cancer and has been undergoing treatment. He's had amazing help along the way and this is the least I can do to give back. Cancer will affect almost everyone in their lives, so any donation is really appreciated.

The info:

Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.