I am running the London Marathon because cancer sucks!

As many of you know, I lost both my mum and dad to cancer within 18 months of each other. Both were very healthy and active individuals who lived life to the fullest. Their diagnoses were such a shock, as their healthy lifestyles likely masked the cancer's effects until it was too late for any treatment to cure it. Despite this, both tried to continue living fully, especially my mum, whose symptoms were manageable at first. Just three weeks before she passed away, she managed a trip from the Isle of Wight to Manchester to see Becky, Bea, and Arlo for the last time. I think she knew that time was running out. Dad made a similar trip Manchester a few weeks before he passed away and I dragged him up a hill on a walk - they both never wanted to say no to a challenge!

My parents were avid runners and, despite completing many half marathons, they never got to complete the London Marathon. A particular highlight of my life was running the Great South Run with Sam, Mum, and Dad (picture above). It was a great day, and the photo of the four of us at the finish line is one that I treasure. I know they will be cheering me on over those last grueling miles, wishing they were there doing it with me. That run was quite a while ago and I didn't do much training, this run however being a lot older is going to be quite different and I've got a strict training regime to follow!

Beyond my parents, I’ve lost a close family member or friend to cancer each year. If anything can be done to prevent even one person from getting cancer in the future, then the donations will have done their job.

I’m running the marathon with my wife, who’s raising money for Macmillan after her brother and bridesmaid both passed away in their thirties from untreatable cancer. Between us, we hope to give a little back to everyone who helped us during this time and to stop one person in the future from getting this terrible illness.

Anything you can donate will be greatly appreciated, and I will keep this page up to date with my progress. I've got the Manchester Half Marathon in October as a perfect midway prep!

Why World Cancer Research Fund?

Every day around 1,100 people will hear the words ‘you have cancer’. Over 420 of these cases could have been prevented, that’s a staggering 155,000 people every year. World Cancer Research Fund, are passionate about reducing this number.

As part of an international network of charities, they’ve been funding life-saving research, influencing global health policy and informing the public since 1982.

While society continues to search for a cure, their prevention and survival work helps people to live longer, healthier, and happier lives – free from the devastating effects of cancer. The money I'm raising plays a huge part in keeping this going.