Thank you for visiting my fundraising page in memory of my wife Joanne.

For those who don't know our story, Joanne was diagnosed with Birkett's Lymphoma in December 2006, a very aggressive form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer of the blood.

After 4 months of intensive chemo in hospital, the side effects were severe and Joanne suffered greatly, but the signs were initially good, but within weeks of completing the treatment Joanne was readmitted to hospital and after further tests we were informed that the cancer had returned and that there were no other treatment options. Even a stem cell transplant was ruled out as the intensive chemo had failed.

Within a week of this devastating news Joanne died on 7th May 2007 in my arms, at home surrounded by her loving family, including our two beautiful children, Jenna now aged 10 and Adam now aged 4. She was 38 years old.

Joanne was a kind, caring person and a fantastic mother; she battled to the end until she could fight no more, we all miss her dearly. I want to raise as much as I possibly can in aid of cancer research so I can contribute in some way to combat this terrible disease.

During the last days of Joanne's short but happy and full life, I told her that I would run the London marathon as this was one of the few sporting events that Joanne embraced and enjoyed. She said she would be at the finishing line to see me home.

This has given me a great incentive and a focus for the coming 5 months.

Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Cancer Research UK 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.

Barry, Jenna & Adam

If you would like to keep updated on my training please visit http://www.abbeyfords.co.uk/runforjoanne/

Many thanks to Liz & Peter and all the staff at Abbeyfords Estate Agents in Widnes, who arranged publicity and organised the RunForJoanne raffle, bag packing and donated a percentage of every house sale to the fund. A massive £4,300 has been contributed, you are amazing!!

Thanks to the staff, children and parents at Cronton Primary School for their sports dress down day and the donation of £300. 

Thanks to Denise, Pat & Angela at HSBC Hunts Cross for their £3,073 contribution via their raffle.

Thanks to Mum and Dad and St.Peter's church for collectively sponsoring me £1,113.

Due to the fantastic response I've upped the target to £10,000 pounds!!!!! But we have smashed that target now!!