I'm running the TCS London Marathon 2024 as part of #TeamBowelCancer.

My wife, Simona Kuhl was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer in March 2021. The day after Mothering Sunday.

With virtually no symptoms other than generally feeling unwell, she was told she had Stage 4 bowel cancer.

To go from being an otherwise healthy mum of 2, working full time, to having to digest the stats that suggest you have a 1 in 10 chance of surviving 5 years was devastating for all of us.

As those of you who know us, Simona and I have been very open with Simona's "journey". It has been the only way we have been able to cope with it.

Sadly we are coming to the last lap of that journey.

Running has been a great escape for me, mentally and physically. I ran the marathon in 2018 (having unexpectedly got a place in the ballot) and Simona was my biggest cheerleader and supporter throughout training and the race itself. I've tried to get close to matching the level support she gave me then, over the last 3 years of her illness but to be honest I doubt I've got close despite what she has said.

The training for the marathon is nothing compared to what she has gone through - its a horrible disease with a brutal treatment regime, that strips you of everything as I have seen first hand.

Anything you can do to support Bowel cancer UK would be amazing.

They are the UK's leading bowel cancer charity. They're determined to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer.

Your support will help stop people dying of bowel cancer by funding vital services and lifesaving research.