On the 22nd January 2017 Louise Carroll, my mother, was diagnosed with cancer for the second time while I was training to be a RAF Physical Training Instructor. She passed away almost exactly a year later on 19th January 2018 and I miss her everyday. I have had fantastic support from family, friends and colleagues but your mother is irreplaceable and I wish I could have her back.

Louise's condition began to deteriorate significantly in September 2017 becoming increasingly susceptible to infection. Unfortunately, in October it was deemed that her treatment was making no significant improvements and she received a terminal prognosis. My family and I tried so hard to keep her moving forwards by researching alternative treatments, staying positive and visiting several charities.

With all my family living in Northern Ireland and being posted in England, I found it very difficult to travel home regularly because flights are so extortionate. Thankfully, the RAF Benevolent Fund were able to help me financially, paying for several return flights home meaning I could spend more quality time with my mum.

We discovered a charity called Cancer Choices in Donaghmore where Madeleine Mulgrew helped Louise mentally and emotionally make sense of her disease. This fantastic charity provides services such as; bra fitting, make-overs, welfare & benefits advice, counselling, self-management programmes and complimentary cancer therapies. The support we received here was outstanding and makes a real difference to peoples experience of cancer.

We also brought mum to The Oxygen Therapy Centre where we met Vickie Shaw and her team. They provided mum with outstanding care, empathy and support . They provide a recognised medical treatment proven to enhance the body's healing process successfully in many conditions and diseases. It gave mum an opportunity to meet people with similar conditions and share experiences while also giving us all hope.

Unfortunately, for mum it was all probably too little too late and sadly she passed away earlier this year. In memory of my mother and her uphill battle with cancer I have decided to complete an uphill challenge of my own, a Red Bull 400 . This event challenges participants to run from the bottom of a ski jump to the top, covering 400m on a 202m elevation. I am travelling to Slovenia on 15th September with a team of fellow PTIs and we would all greatly appreciate your support.

I know my mum is with me every day and fully supports my ambition to complete this challenge. I hope you will support me too and if you wish to donate, the funds will go towards these 3 great organisations. Not only will it make a massive difference to the lives of people battling cancer, but help people like me and my family. Thank you for your generosity and belief in me and my team.

Andy