On March 17, my 40th birthday, I will complete a 50-mile row (80,000 metres) to honour my incredible mother and raise funds for Maggie’s Swansea. She was the most selfless person I knew, fighting cancer with unwavering courage until the very end. By turning my grief into a personal challenge, I hope to give back to the centre that offered us such amazing support. Each stroke on the rower will be dedicated not only to her memory, but also to every family affected by cancer. Please join me in making a difference for Maggie’s Swansea and the vital work they do.

My 'Why'

I sadly lost my mother, my hero, on 12th February 2024 at the age of 64, after an incredibly brave battle with cancer. Anyone who knew her understood she was the most loving, caring, and selfless person in the world. Throughout her fight, she never once complained; she fought until the very end for her family. She will forever be my hero, and what I’m about to do is nothing compared to how fiercely she fought for us.

There’s a saying about knowing your “why”: when you do, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. My mother is my “why.” She will be my driving force, along with everyone who is going through or has gone through a similar struggle.

March 17th is my 40th birthday. As a family, we had originally planned to take our first long-haul holiday to Thailand with my Mam, dad, my wife, my kids, my brother, and his partner. Now, without Mam, celebrating feels too painful. Instead, I’ve decided to turn that hurt into something positive by raising money for Maggie’s Swansea. Although Mam didn’t spend much time at the centre, the support she and all of us received there was extraordinary. I want to give back in her memory and transform the emotional pain I’ll feel on my birthday into a physical challenge for a wonderful cause.

When?

On March 17th, I’ll be taking on a 50-mile static row (around 80,000 meters), with minimal stops for re-fueling, physio, or toilet breaks. During those brief pauses, my family will join in to row a few meters themselves, making this challenge even more meaningful. It’s been a busy year, and I haven’t been able to train as much as I’d hoped, but my “why” is strong, and only a serious injury could stop me from completing this row.

Where?

The event will take place at Maggie’s Cancer Centre in Swansea, starting at approximately 8 a.m., on a Concept2 rower set up under a gazebo on the patio outside. Any support, whether that’s spreading the word, donating, or cheering us on in person would be hugely appreciated.

To honour my mother’s memory further, I’ll be marking key milestones throughout the row that reflect my parents’ travels around the world and the special moments they shared. I’ll also highlight important family milestones, such as the distance between the hospital where my brother and I were born and our first home in Nantyffyllon.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. If you’re able to support in any way, I am deeply grateful. Let’s make a difference together, for Mam and everyone who has faced or is facing a battle with cancer.