One of the things that struck me when my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer was that she felt guilty about the cost of the NHS treatment. As far as I know the asking price for chemotherapy is fixed, and she didn't go for the "luxury" pain-free option, but still. That's how she reacted. This is all by way of saying I'm so proud that I have such a selfless, kind hearted and practical minded mother, and I know as sure as I know anything that she wouldn't want anyone else to have to go through it. Thankfully she has been given the all-clear, as far as you can ever be. 

Next month I'm going to be attempting to cycle 300km in 4 days, from Granada, Nicaragua to San Jose, Costa Rica to raise money for Cancer Research UK - a distance that experienced cyclists will recognise as being not particularly far. But that's not the point! I'm funding this holiday / mildly perilous physical challenge myself and every penny I raise will go towards this vital research. Or at least I assume it will, if those folks at Cancer Research UK splash out on a box of Krispy Kreme donuts on a Friday afternoon then all power to them.

Please give generously.

Love, Mark.