Cancer of the oesophagus, also known as oesophageal cancer, is an uncommon but serious type of cancer that affects the oesophagus (gullet).

The oesophagus is the medical name for the gullet, which is part of the digestive system. The oesophagus is the long tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. The top part of the oesophagus lies behind the windpipe (trachea). The bottom part runs down through the chest between the spine and the heart.

Symptoms of oesophageal cancer include:

• difficulties swallowing (dysphagia)
• weight loss
• throat pain
• persistent cough

On Sunday 26th May 2013 at 08:00 Neil Pearce and Iain Sharpe will be undertaking the gruelling challenge of the13 mile Edinburgh Half Marathon to raise money for the Oesophageal Patients Association.

'The Oesophageal Patients Association is an independent registered charity formed in 1985 when a few former oesophageal cancer patients met and found tremendous reassurance in sharing experiences. Since then, we have helped over 26,000 patients and carers. The members of the Association are all patients who have experienced oesophageal or gastric difficulties. We have prepared medically approved booklets and fact sheets on the problems, which we can talk about at first hand, understanding the fears that can be generated, the pains that can be suffered and the effects on the digestive system that can be experienced.'

Both our mothers have been effected by this heinous disease and  kicked its arse and that's why we are supporting this worthy charity.

A Half Marathon may sound reasonably easy for some of you reading this but for a short, bald and angry 40ish man with little legs (Iain) and slightly over weight narcissist who likes nothing more than lager on his Corn Flakes (Neil) this is a big challenge to say the least.  

The reason we are doing this is quite simple... Sue and Jean we love you both very much and we  would never want to see a mother, father, son, daughter, anyone taken by anything with the C word in it.

The part no one likes doing is asking for money. As a team we are looking to raise £1000.00 as our employers will match £ for £ what we raise up to that value.

I know its a lot to ask but every £ counts and will make a difference even if we don't hit our goal.

Thank you for taking the time to read our page and an even bigger Thank You if you have donated.

See you at the finish line,

Neil & Iain