In the summer of 2009, I was diagnosed with cardiac and skeletal angiosarcoma, one of the rarest cancers on Earth. Surgeons at St Thomas' hospital in London excised a tumour from my heart and replaced it with bovine tissue, which in turn led to friends, family and the media giving me the nickname 'Bullheart'. Most people die very quickly from this kind of condition; there is an almost 100% mortality rate, especially when combined with the chemotherapy I had to undertake to prevent the lesions in my skeletal system increasing in size and number. 

I made a decision that I wouldn't die.

Not that I would try not to.

Nor that it would be a brave and valiant attempt.

I gave my word to my beautiful wife that I wouldn't.

Two years ago, eight months after having my chest broken, part of my heart cut out, and six months of intense chemotherapy, I (with the original members of Team Bullheart, James Chavalier and Laura Fradgley) cycled 994 miles via the toughest route in the UK from John O'Groats to Lands End to raise money for the Sarcoma Trust. In 2011 I continued to engage in similar acts of lunacy, mainly bike-related, with my Team Bullheart team-mates – racing in 24 hour mountain bike races across the UK.

This year Team Bullheart will be continuing along the same lines with a series of 24 hour races, but I will be raising the game with two personal challenges; the South Downs Double, and the Kielder 100 – both incredibly difficult and tough challenges for serious athletes, but even more testing given my continuing treatment protocol of treatment at the UCLH in London every three months. I refuse to allow my illness to impact on my life. There is nothing heroic about it; it's just how it is. I'm not defined by my cancer.

 There are two reasons as to why I do this. The first is to give hope to those that have received the same devastating news I did in 2009 - in continuing to fight, I seek to prove to others that life is important and giving up isn’t an option. The second goal is about raising enough money to find a cure for this awful disease. These people are my friends, and I owe them a debt that I cannot pay. By supporting them you are helping to defeat sarcoma. 

 Because we don't give up. Ever.