The Watford Chamber of Conscience Punisher Challenge. 

On the 5th and 6th of April we will be completing 26.4 miles each day on a route around Watford, Hemel and Berkhamsted. Then on Sunday the 7th, we will travel to the coast and complete the official Brighton Marathon, That makes up the 3 marathons - phew!

There are 2 very powerful reasons as to why Vas and I will be attempting to run 3 marathons in 3 days. Both are local causes and both need your support. Here are the stories...

My Sister Sara

My sister was diagnosed with cancer at the age of just 29. Like most sisters she was someone to call upon and was unique in my eyes. A talented lady who was not only an inspiration to the whole family but also a devoted mother to Maisie and a wonderful wife to Tony.

I spent the next 3 years sharing time with her ongoing battles but also enjoying many catch-ups in coffee shops and time out on shopping and day trips. Cancer, however, has no conscience and after being cleared of the disease once, it returned. Finally in the early spring of 1992 at the age of just 32 she succumbed and passed away leaving a devastated family including a 3 year old Maisie.

This whole experience has not only taught me that life is to be enjoyed and must be experienced to the full but also to see the true value of support that many hospitals, hospices and the individuals who work there provide. This is why 50% of all money raised will go towards The Hospice of St Francis in Berkhamsted. This is a truly amazing charity that helps 2,000 local people and their families in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire to live their precious lives well through improving symptoms, achieving personal goals and helping them to feel safe.

Based in beautiful surroundings just outside Berkhamsted, all of the care provided is completely free and they depend on their local community to ensure their future.

My friend Rodger Hughes

The other 50% will be heading towards my great friend Rodger Hughes. Rather than tell you his story myself here it is told in his own words. "My wife and I were blessed with two beautiful children of our own, after being told we may not be able to have any we then had two in just over 14 months! Sebastian was born 4 months early and as a result suffered multiple health complications.

My son Sebastian was in intensive care for almost 6 months and has had multiple on-going issues, however, he fought his way through several close calls and we finally got to hold him for the first time 5 weeks later. He’s now 5 but has had to spend much of that time in hospital.

This year has been another exciting one, although perhaps not in the way we had planned or wanted. Only a couple of days after my son’s latest hospital visit, I suffered what is known as a massive tonic colonic seizure and was rushed to hospital and subsequently I was diagnosed with having multiple brain tumours.

Due to the seizures I am not allowed to drive at the moment, so for the first time 35 years I’ve not been down to the track this summer and desperately missing out on all the action.

It’s still early days which has left us in a state of limbo and until we know more and currently unable to go to work."

Please help support both of these amazing causes. Think about the difference you'll make.

Thanks you so much

Vas & Olly