Story
My lovely Dad recently passed away from cancer. He loved being outside, enjoying the forests and delights of Galloway, so an outdoor challenge to raise money for a charity that did so much to help him in his final days, seems quite fitting.
Between now and the end of the 2024 (but hopefully before), I am going to cycle (road, gravel, MTB, commute), run, hike, dog walk, swim and kayak 1946 miles / 3132 km to raise money for Marie Curie (Dumfries). The aim is to do something that contributes to this total distance outside everyday (regardless of the weather), involve as many people (and a special little person) as often as I can and to try to cover lots of different locations in Galloway, including some of Dad's favourite spots.
Dad was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, and although his treatment for this was successful, he developed secondary cancer in his brain in 2023 and passed away in the summer of 2024.
Staying at home was very important to my Dad and he was very lucky to receive the most excellent care from a team of amazing carers who he adored, our local district nurses and Marie Curie nurses who provided overnight care. I can’t explain how much we valued the support and comfort they all provided.
As a charity, the support that Marie Curie provide relies on donations. Marie Curie nurses are incredible, but there are only a small number who work across the region, and there is a significant need for their service. As a family, we want to support others to benefit from their work in the ways that we did.
Marie Curie is here for anyone with an illness they’re likely to die from, and those close to them. Whatever the illness, wherever you are, we’re with you to the end. We bring 75 years of experience and leading research to the care we give you at home, in our hospices and over the phone. And we push for a better end of life for all by campaigning and sharing research to change the system.
The Challenge...
For those who are wondering about the bizarrely accurate distance... Dad was born in 1946, but he wasn’t a metric man, hence the decision to represent his birth year in miles rather than km (which I might regret!).
This means covering an average of around 20 miles a day or 33km a day, alongside a full time job and being a mum. Doing it through the Autumn and Winter months, with limited daylight, adds a certain something to the challenge!
Please just give what you can, or come and join me outside, even if just for a cuppa mid-ride! I'll post updates on this page and you'll also be able to check up on me on my Strava here: https://www.strava.com/athletes/5821719
