This year I'm running the world famous London Marathon!

I've chosen to raise money for two charities who are close to me, Young Lives vs Cancer (previously CLIC Sergeant) and The Farming Community Network. Two charities who I'm sure you can agree with me deserve support and some fundraising! Hopefully with your help I would like to raise £2,000 to split between the two charities.

Unfortunately JustGiving doesn't allow one page to raise for two charities so I've had to set up a 'Team' to include the two. If possible I'd love the money raised to be equal for each charity.

Young Lives vs Cancer

Today, 11 children and young people in the UK will hear the devastating news they have cancer.

When a child is diagnosed with cancer life becomes full of fear, for them and their family. At Young Lives vs Cancer, we help children, young people (under 25) and their families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them. We’ll face it all, together – but we can’t do it without you.

Children and young people’s cancer is often treated in a specialist hospital that may be a long way from home. We have 11 Homes from Home across the UK, close to the specialist treatment centres. They’re free places for families to stay when their child is going through treatment.

We fight tirelessly to limit the damage cancer causes. From diagnosis, our expert care teams will step in, ready to support and guide. Here’s how we help:

-Our care teams provide specialist support, tailored to families’ needs, so that they always have someone to turn to when the doctor says cancer.

-Our Homes from Home are havens for patients and families during cancer treatment, so that they can stay together during the toughest times.

-Our award-winning information provides expert advice and guidance on everything to do with life during and after treatment.

-Our specialist nursing teams provide personal care and support at home, allowing families to avoid travel and stay together where possible.

-We award grants and help families secure the benefits they are entitled to, to help them deal with the costs of cancer.

-We fight for change to improve the lives of children and young people with cancer, by championing their voices to politicians across the UK and campaigning for policy change.

The Farming Community Network

The Farming Community Network (FCN) is a voluntary organisation and charity that supports farmers and families within the farming community through difficult times.

FCN has over 400 volunteers, located throughout England and Wales, many of whom are involved in farming, or have close links with agriculture and therefore have a great understanding of the issues farm workers and farming families regularly face. Our volunteers provide free and confidential support to anyone who seeks help, regardless of whether the issue is personal or business-related.

In addition to local groups of volunteers, FCN runs a confidential national helpline (03000 111 999, open 7am-11pm every day of the year) and e-helpline (help@fcn.org.uk).

Our volunteers will “walk with” anyone who seeks support and help them find a positive way through their problems. Each year we help approximately 6,000 people deal with a variety of issues, including financial difficulties, animal disease, mental health, and family disputes.

FCN relies solely on donations and grants in order to continue supporting the farming community. With British farming facing deep uncertainty in the coming years, the workload of FCN volunteers is expected to increase significantly.”

What does FCN do?

• FCN runs a confidential national helpline (03000 111 999) and e-helpline(help@fcn.org.uk) which is open every day of the year from 7am-11pm.

• We offer local follow up and support through our volunteer groups to people who contact us for help.

• FCN also operates the FarmWell platform, an online resource with information about a wide variety of topics, from health and wellbeing to farm safety and business planning. Visit the website farmwell.org.uk.

• In 2020 FCN and the other Wales Farm Support Group members launched the FarmWell Wales and FarmWell Cymru platforms.

• FCN is increasingly involved in proactive work to support the farming community before people reach a point of crisis. This includes research, campaigns, the development of helpful publications, social opportunities, market and events attendance and other activities.

• FCN encourages people to be ‘lookouts’ in their communities and provides mental health awareness training to individuals, organisations, and corporate partners, helping to create a more resilient, understanding, and supportive industry.

• FCN’s volunteers provide free, confidential, pastoral, and practical support to anyone who seeks help. We ‘walk with’ people, helping them find a positive way forward.

• Whether the issue is personal or business-related, volunteers are there to help.