In February 2004, my father aged 47 was diagnosed with having a tuma growing inside his brain. He was given 2 years to live and placed on a course of drugs and radiotherapy. Four months later, he remarried and it was on the morning after his wedding that I really spoke to him for the last time. Getting up late in the hotel after a few drinks the night before, I had just a five minute conversation to say "good morning and that I would see him later".

6 weeks later, I received a phone call while I was at university, telling me that he had taken a turn for the worst and that I should come home as soon as possible, I drove home the next day.  The day after that, we went to see him in hospital where he was unconscious from all the pain killing drugs and was wired up to numerous machines.  We were in the room for nearly two hours but he did not stir. In the end we all said our goodbyes to him as he slept.

Frederick Brian Webb passed away a couple of days later on the 3rd November 2004 aged 48, just 9 months after being diagnosed with the brain tuma.

I have therefore decided that, whereas he spent so much of his life working, worrying and not seeing the world outside, I will see the world as I hike and camp solo across the length of Britain , from John O'Groats in the north to Lands End, in the south. My route covers a distance of 1111 miles which I hope to complete within 3 months beginning in August 2006.

I donate all the money to cancer research in the hope that they can find cures so that others won't have to feel the pain of losing a relative or loved one to this terrible illness.