This is Phil on our wedding day, enjoying life, looking fit and healthy. Five months later he was diagnosed with lung cancer (aged 41 and a non-smoker).  Eighteen months later he died.

I am going to complete the Great North Run 2007 in order to raise funds for two charities, details below, and hope you will be able to support me.    Thank you.

(Please note that all monies will be directed towards the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation as this site can only deal with one charity at a time.  The Foundation have, however, agreed to split all monies raised, after £250, equally with Make-A-Wish).

Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation:

This foundation was a great source of information and support for Phil and me during his illness.  They are working hard to develop tests which will aid early detection of lung cancer.  Lung cancer is the second biggest killer of men, after coronary heart disease, and 80% of patients do not survive a year beyond diagnosis.  Survival rates are so poor as most patients are diagnosed when the disease is already advanced and there are very few warning signs - most of which are usually attributed to other ailments, especially in young patients. 

Lung cancer receives only c.3% of cancer research funding made available by the government and cancer charities.   The fact that it is usually connected with smoking means there is a stigma attached to the illness, which affects the funding of research and treatment options - even if you are a non-smoker.

I would like to support the research being undertaken and the support network provided by this foundation so that, one day, other people do not have to suffer as Phil did.

Make-a-Wish:

Comet, my employer, supports this charity which raises money to grant magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses.

At any given time, over 20,000 children in the UK are living with life-threatening conditions. Whether a wish is to be a princess or a policeman for a day, own the latest computer equipment, meet a favourite celebrity or just enjoy some special time away from home with their family, a wish come true brings so much to a child's life and provides memories for the family that last a lifetime.

I'd like to support this charity which creates wonderful ways in which to help those who are experiencing so much pain and suffering and who live with such great uncertainty.   

I hope you will consider forgoing your lunch, just one day this week - and donating the money to these worthy causes instead.  Please feel free to pass this request on to encourage others to skip lunch too.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to donate: Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and Make-A-Wish will receive your money electronically and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in Gift Aid will be added to your donation at no cost to you.

Many thanks for your support.

Jules