In the Autumn of 2022 I was honoured to be invited to attend the Private Launch of Cheltenham & Gloucester Hospitals Charity “The Big Space Cancer Appeal”.

They are looking to transform cancer care in Gloucestershire by building state-of-the art treatment facilities in Cheltenham to create a Centre of Excellence in Gloucestershire.

Cancer care in Cheltenham is already second to none offering world class treatment from extraordinary staff but the facilities are woefully inadequate. This ambitious but achievable appeal sets to change that by building purpose-built facilities offering a calming and dignified environment. Plenty of natural light will enable patients to feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible. Private areas, breakout rooms and an improved layout with a therapeutic garden will all help achieve this goal.

1 in 2 people in the UK will get cancer in their lifetime

Almost all of us (if not all) know someone whose life has been touched by cancer

5000 local people will begin cancer treatment this year

Gloucestershire cancer services offer support to 1 million people. 56,000 treatments sessions are given per year which is rising by 8% every year.

I was looking for a new challenge and have decided to do a year of fundraising for this appeal where I will do a variety of challenges and events, some solo and some I hope others may join me or even take on their own challenges towards my goal. It has become even more important to me as sadly I have now been diagnosed with cancer in my right lung.

The plan is evolving but here is my plan to date –

Sunday 2nd October 2022 – run the Virtual London Marathon

Saturday 29th April - Emily is doing the 21k "Spartan Beast" race

Saturday 13th May – 58km Jurassic Coast Challenge from Corfe Castle to Weymouth - I and 10 friends have formed The Trekking Trotters and will take this challenge on together, with Carl being our "support crew"!

Summer 2023 – organise a 5km, 10km and half marathon run as well as a Hash event (which had to be rescheduled due to the lung diagnosis) asking those that enter to pay a fee and maybe even get sponsorship.

October 2023 – Run to the Sea Ultra Marathon in Bournemouth