In July of last year I took part in Pretty Muddy. When I decided to take part it was to have a bit of fun with the girls from work, whilst raising money for a worthwhile cause.  I had no personal story to tell.

But then, I had a story. This was the story.

At the start of April, my amazing, gregarious, sometimes grumpy Dad, who let me put bobbles in his hair whilst he read to me as a child, was told he had a tumour, the
severity and the extent unknown until further tests were carried out. Three weeks later we know that so far as the oncologists can tell, the tumour is contained and treatable.

Yet in that time before the prognosis was known, despite how positive you try to be, you can't help but fear the worst.  It had take a year for him to be referred for
tests.  Could that year have made difference?  

I have been lucky.  It could have been a whole lot worse.  But it has given me an
insight in to the fears of those who are not so lucky.

It transpired he had two tumours and went through radiotherapy and chemotherapy before having surgery to remove his bowel in September of last year.  Gradually,
whilst still receiving chemo he began to get his strength back and was once again doing the things he loved. Things were looking really good.

Then in June he fell ill again. The cancer was back. But as I write this, we are still waiting on my Dad’s prognosis.  We find out tomorrow whether the cancer is treatable.  3 months from falling ill again.

To say I am angry is an understatement. Angry it came back.  Angry with the waiting and with the system.  Just angry.  But anger won’t help.  I need to do something positive.  I just need to do something, anything, to stop this feeling of uselessness.

So I will run. 

I don’t like running long distances, but with ever painful step I will be thinking ‘this is nowhere near the pain that my Dad is suffering.  My pain will end in a couple of hours’.  The Manchester Half is the day after my Dad’s birthday.  He will be 75.  And I love him to bits.

So I am running for my Dad and for my mother-in-law who was diagnosed with cancer in her bowel, liver and abdomen also in June.

If you can spare just a few pounds to sponsor me, it all helps in the fight against cancer, and it means you will be helping me in doing something that will make a small difference to those affected by cancer.

And for that I will be very grateful.

If you're a UK taxpayer, please remember to tick the Gift Aid box as this will increase your donation by at least 25% at no extra cost to you.