My Story

Anyone who knows me will realise that I already run, a lot, so asking for sponsorship for something I can already do may seem a little greedy especially in challenging economic times. However, in October of 2024, my beautiful mum lost her life to pancreatic cancer. To watch how an incredibly fit and active woman deteriorated in such a short period of time was very hard for everyone in my family. A cherished grandson has been deprived of his granny, a husband now without his life partner, two boys without their mum and numerous other relatives and friends all at a loss. 

I've already qualified for a London Marathon place and this will be my ninth London in total and 17th marathon overall, so I am not taking up a valuable charity place. I wanted to use the opportunity for good and do something worthwhile. I've not fundraised since 2017. My aim is to break the marathon record for over fifties at my running club and ideally run a personal best time too, although I will be 50 years of age when the race begins on April 27th.

Pancreatic cancer survival rates are grim and the rate at which it can  finish a person off are equally horrific. It's a cancer that is often incredibly hard to detect and can be advancing swiftly without displaying symptoms. Anything we can do to change this and find a way of early detection and provide treatment has got to be doing good. I can't bring my mum back but if, in time, we can save others, then that's something.

My mum will be watching over me during the race - she told me as such not long before she died. I hope to make her proud again and achieve something positive for all from a bad situation.