So this is our story and the reason why this page and challenge exists. In 2012 a 30 year old girl called Emma had a seizure in the middle of the night; this seizure was quickly diagnosed as a cancerous brain tumour. The tumour had spread across the left side of Emma's brain and had become so large it was causing issues with sight, taste and balance. A number of operations quickly followed, these operations successfully removed 75% of the tumour mass but unfortunately not enough to remove the risk to Emma's life. The tumour is spread across and inside Emma's brain so much so that it is too dangerous to remove fully without putting additional risk to the quality or length of Emma's life. After the operation a course of radiotherapy took place, over the next few months a life time’s dose of radiotherapy was applied to Emma causing her to be sick, tired and lacking energy to take on day to day activities. The tumour shrank by 2mm as a direct result of the radium treatment meaning Emma is winning, but unfortunately due to the severity of the cancer a maximum lifespan of 5 years has been forecast. This incredible girl is a mother of two children, Grace and James, Grace being my daughter. Emma is a positive and wonderful mother to both children and a loving girlfriend to her fiancé Dave. Today Emma is receiving various drugs and regular check up scans to monitor the tumour closely, the future isn't bright for Emma but the fight isn’t over by a long shot!! Emma is positive that she will make the best of what she has and will live life to the fullest. I want Grace to know when she grows up she has an amazing mother but also an amazing dad who put him self and his friends through physical hell to help Emma and other sufferers of Cancer. Lets help Cancer Research kick the hell out of Cancer and lets show Emma were proud of her!!

So what’s our challenge?? Run four of the most gruelling obstacle course races in the UK, Tough Mudder in September, Men’s Health Survival of the Fittest in October, Hell Runner in November and Tough Guy in January. Those who know me know I attend the gym regularly but I’m no where near fit enough for these challenges, I need to loose weight and gain enough muscle to pull, jump, swing, swim and run myself through mud, electric shocks, rivers, tunnels, cargo nets and everything else in between. These obstacle courses have been designed by British Special Forces and range from 6 to 12 miles long, to quote one website “The safest most dangerous taste of physical and mental endurance pain in the world!!” Take a look at this Tough Mudder video for an idea of what lies ahead: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oMfIVKZ4mc&feature=player_embedded

Thanks for looking and please dig deep for this great cause!!