We lost my dad and my best friend in February ‘24 after a long journey with illness. He was 57 years old and before he got sick was so fit and healthy. He played football all his young life, with his family and friends fondly remembering his time as goalie for Finians and Londons St Michael’s GAA. However, Dad’s life changed when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour in his 30s. Although he was treated his life was never the same.

Over the past few years, neurologically his body started to shut down but he pushed back with every set back and showed an insane amount of strength and resilience. Eventually he couldn’t take care of himself and as a family, Mum and me supported him as much as we could. In the last few weeks before his death, however, staying up at night and trying to take it in turns to make sure someone was with him at all times became very difficult with just two of us. Marie Curie nurses were our guardian angels, they were there when we needed them most. On the night dad passed, it was one of the nurses’ first ever shift. We had just gone to bed when dad’s breathing slowed. She ran up to get us and is the reason we were all together when dad took his last breath. I’ll always be grateful that we were there to hold his hand and will cherish that memory for life.

Having never ran more than 10k, let alone a marathon, I thought I would set myself this challenge in memory of dad and the strength he showed throughout his life. London seemed fitting as it was the place him and mum met, where he started his engineering company, where we began our life as a family and where he had lots of happy memories.

Over the next few months I hope to raise money for Marie curie to help other families going through a similar situation. It has been the most difficult time of my life but the fact that Dad received the dignity and respect he deserved from the Marie curie nurses is all Mum and I could ask for. He was a fighter til the end and will always be my biggest inspiration.

Love you lots like jelly tots Dad xxx

Update 12/24

RIP to uncle Lindsay who sadly passed away 29/12/24 at his home surrounded by his family aunty Una and my cousins. Such a kind hearted man who Dad always loved to see coming round (he was the good cop). I know he’s up there now on a Harley riding around without a care. Marie curie nurses were also involved in caring for him in the last few days, just like they were with Dad, and it just reminded me how many families are positively impacted by them every day. Thank you all for the donations so far, it’s amazing to have the support from each and every one of you in memory of uncle Lindsay and Dad <3