Rachy (my eldest daughter) and our close friend Di and myself ran the Great North Run in Newcastle 2021 and 2022 to support Head and Neck Cancer care. We will be running Keswick half marathon September 2023.

I was first diagnosed with Oral cancer in July 2015 after developing a mouth sore which didn't heal. I was referred to Carlisle hospital where I received surgery very quickly that month and then again in August 2015, I was then advised the tumour had successfully been removed. Symptoms began to reoccur Sept/Oct 2015 and it was confirmed in Jan 2016 that the cancer had returned. My care was then transferred  to Newcastle. This time a very aggressive tumour was operated on in February 2016, bone was taken from my leg to replace my jaw and a skin graft to replace a large area of my tongue. Some months later I had daily radiotherapy and weekly chemotherapy for six weeks over in Newcastle. This has left me unable to swallow any food or liquid (despite 7 operations at the Freeman hospital ) I now have a tube directly into my stomach for feeding.

Despite this I remain positive and I am eternally grateful to the Freeman Hospital staff, without them I wouldn't be here and my amazing family and friends who have supported me throughout this ordeal.

Head and neck cancer is very personal to me and this has motivated me to raise funds and awareness of this type of cancer. I hope by sharing my story I will encourage others to share their story and believe there is life after cancer.