“It’s going to be painful. No doubt. But so is losing someone close to you.  What pain does the family go through and how difficult is their journey to continue with normality in spite of their loss? But life does go on. It doesn’t allow you a pause or a time out to find some mechanism of coping…” 

I am doing this run to raise money for charity; this is true. But I am also doing this to remind myself and others that nothing in life is predictable. My friend Dinesh Lalji died aged only 27 and previous to being diagnosed with Cancer, he was as fit and healthy as I am. In 9 painful months, he died, and I would never have thought it possible. My uncle, Lalit Ajmani was a picture of health. Aged 47, he died suddenly from a heart attack, leaving behind a wife and 2 children. Yes, life is very unpredictable and each day we should strive towards completing something worthwhile. Not just working laboriously and existing in a routine…

Who would ever have thought that Amit Dhand would voluntarily run 13.1 miles?! I hate running. Don’t mind the occasional jog; this however is on a different scale! But I’m doing it for an excellent cause and one which will make a difference to many.

I ask you this; to give generously. That doesn’t mean emptying your bank account, but when you next think of going for that “routine” meal or buying that “impulse outfit”, I’d like you to pause and ask yourself, if you can do without it. Just this once. Because I assure your, the pleasure you get from having that meal or buying that outfit, will last only a few minutes, perhaps a day at the most. But what difference will the money raised through Candlelighters have on someone struggling to cope with Cancer? It will last surely longer than any impulse or indulgence.

So please give generously. And thoughtfully. And whilst the pennies do count, it’s the pounds that I want to hear clinking into my account.

Your thoughts and donations will be appreciated and help get me across that finish line.

Thank you.

Amit Dhand

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.