In memory of Valerie Hawkins and in support of the big man Darren Cole.

Thank you for visiting our fundraising page. Please sponsor whatever you can no matter how small or large the amount.

Our team recently competed in the Cardiff Half-Marathon on 18/10/2009 to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. The race day was fantastic from the atmosphere to the weather. We are so please that we were able to represent such a fantastic cause and we hope that you will continue to help us by making donations in our effort to reach our sponsorship goal. Our team race times were:

Rhys Tooby - 01:53:57                             Daniel Newns - 01:56:05
Pastor Ian Williams - 01:59:34                Chris Hawkins - 02:19:33
Colin Jones - 02:24:54                             Robert 'Wiggy' Holt - 02:38:47
Jo Cole - 02:38:46                                    Garin Jones and Diane Davies - completed

Please look at our photos of the race day and read below for our true inspirations behind entering the Cardiff Half Marathon.

Valerie Hawkins
05/12/1960 - 04/05/2009
Breast and Bone Cancer

My mother had a long and grueling fight with Cancer. She first developed Breast Cancer in late 2006 and from there had to have a complete mastectomy, followed by intensive Chemo and Radiotherapy. After these treatments my mother seemed to have beaten this terrible disease but as the months progressed she gradualy lost the use of her left arm. After months of being told that this was due to nerve damage we later discovered that a second tumour had grown under her arm. With the cancer being untreated it was allowed to spread through her body, going to her bones. So having not only Breast Cancer my mother was also faced with trying to live with Bone Cancer.

In late March this year she was taken into hospital and just a short month later she passed away after her brave fight against the disease. Never giving up, always trying to care for her family, my mother opitimised the ideal mother and friend and should never have been subjected to such a horrible disease.

But we are thankfull that throughout her fight we were given such fantastic support from the team at Macmillan Cancer Support. The care enabled her to carry on with some daily tasks, along with support and advice given on how best for my mother to continue fighting against the illness. Without their support my mothers illness would have been much worse in that our family would not have been able to have coped with the reality of what the disease was doing.

Please give something that will help towards ensuring that individuals and families affected by Cancer continue to recieve this fantastic support. Your money will go a long way in helping people live with this terrible disease.

Thank you so much

Chris Hawkins


Darren ‘The Big Man’ Cole

Life for the Cole family pre 2009 was pretty much the usual mix of work, training, eat, sleep and school for us all.

Then, in the late part of 2008, Darren began developing ‘migraines’ which, for a while, were put down to hitting the big 4-0, working shifts and general busy life with three kids and a mortgage!!

However, the ‘migraines’ worsened and, following months of nagging, Darren was finally persuaded to see the GP. Having been referred for an MRI scan, on 31st March 2009, we were given the devastating news that he had a brain tumour. Following major brain surgery and further testing, it was confirmed that the tumour was actually a cancerous, Grade 4 glioblastoma.

In April 2009 Darren began a 6 week course of daily chemo and radiotherapy and amazingly continued using the gym – leg pressing 790kg and pushing himself to the limits and beyond (Had to get that in…to impress all you gym buffs!!!). After a month’s break in treatment Darren is now back on chemotherapy and is half way through his 6 month plan.

We discovered earlier this week that, sadly, Darren has now lost all peripheral vision on the left side. However, with vigour, he continues to fight and train!!! It’s the inspiration of his faith, optimism and perseverance that serves as an example to us all, particularly our three children – Christian, Caleb and Alannah, who make this fight all the more relentless.

Throughout all of this we have received amazing support from Macmillan Cancer Support and also our PHENOMENAL friends and family supporters – now collectively known as ‘Team Cole’. I honestly don’t know how we’d have made it through the last few months without you all – even the freaks and weirdo’s amongst you!!!

So please, for the continued fight against this terrible disease, and in support of other families and individuals in such circumstances…

‘Dig Deep… Live Strong…. And here’s to making every second count!!’

Jo Cole



Thank you for taking the time to look at our page. Your donation means so much.

Thank you

Team Hawkins and Team Cole