Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.

My Mother, Olive Levy was diagnosed with breast cancer way back in the 1970’s when I was a teenager.  Whilst devastating at the time, with good quality medical care and her own research on diet etc, she lived a full and positive life until her death on 9th December 2007.  Her fight with cancer really gave her a more positive outlook on life and made her determined to get more from it and travel more.  She did this; travelling around Australia and Europe with my Dad in a motorcaravan.

To live until the age of 81 from those dark days following her initial diagnosis I would consider as being a significant achievement – as she did too.  And when she died, she did so how and where she wanted to; painlessly at home with Dad, me and a lady doctor beside her.

Her treatments for cancer consisted of a number of operations over the years as well as radiotherapy and anti-cancer drugs to which she lucky enough to have had relatively early access.

Immediately after my Mother’s death my Father, Arthur, started suffering with pains in his legs.  Further investigation revealed a bone cancer in his pelvis which was a secondary cancer following an operation for bowel cancer back in July 2006.  This was bad news, as we thought he was clear of the cancer.

Whilst visiting St Luke’s, Guildford with Dad as part of his radiotherapy treatment process I picked up a leaflet encouraging people to volunteer for this trek to Machu Picchu in Peru to raise money for equipment for the hospital.  After significant deliberation, I decided I should participate for the following main reasons:

1. I am grateful for the help that St Luke’s gave my Mother over many years.
2. I am grateful for the treatments that St Luke’s has given my Dad recently.
3. The fact that although I have very rarely written anything just for the sake of it, the last time I did, I made reference to Machu Picchu. (Document entitled “Is the Structure of Our Society Fragile”)
4. It appears that I have a nephew (through my brother’s marriage) called Tim Levy, living in Peru.
5. Undertaking the necessary training looks like a good way to increase my fitness and reduce my weight.

So, I am asking for your support.  If everyone were to donate £10 each that means I have to find 300 people, which seems like a very tall order.  So, please give generously.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: St. Luke's Cancer Fund Royal Surrey County Hospital will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.

Adrian

St Luke's Cancer Fund require me to make you aware of the following:

1. I need to raise at least £3,000 to participate.

2. Approximately 1/3 of the minimum sponsorship will go towards covering the cost of the trip.

3. There is no mechanism to repay donations in the event I am unable to participate. (However I'll do my best to ensure I do make it!)

UPDATE 19 May 2008:

Woo Hoo!  Half way there to my target!  I am GOBSMACKED at the generosity everyone has shown.  Thank you all so much.

Now to the challenge of the other half...

Please talk to people about the site, and the trek.  It would be a great help.

Thanks again.