At the end of July my small yet close family were hit by the news that my Grandmother, wife to my grandfather, mother to my mother, aunt and uncle, and a huge part in many people’s lives has Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.

With a prognosis of weeks rather than months we all wanted to make the most of our time with her. Certain milestones approached and our expectations were that she might not be with us at the end of August and then the middle of October for both her daughter’s birthdays. Christmas seemed a long time away as we dealt with what we thought would be our first Christmas without her.

As Christmas drew nearer we had an optimism that we would get one final Christmas and we did. A result of close management and continued care, has meant that as I write in January my Grandmother is still with us.

My Grandmother is not like anyone I know and I don’t really know how best to describe her. A loving, caring person who has looked after others all her life, her family have always been her number one priority, yet she has always made time for others, volunteering for all sorts, being involved in the church and other community projects.

For me I have a particular relationship with my Grandmother that is unusual, both my grandparents played a huge part in my upbringing and have been influential in my life so much so I can’t put it in to words.

Without doubt my grandmother is a true matriarch and without her our lives will never be the same.

My Grandmother has touched so many lives and I am pleased my wife and my boys have had an opportunity to know her.

I am fundraising for Leukaemia and Lymphoma research as a result of the care my Grandmother has received in the last 6 months.

£5 will pay for one DNA extraction from a sample of patient cells. This DNA can then be used to find any particular code that may be important in the disease.

Please sponsor me whilst I take on this challenge for such a good cause.

My brother in law Darren is also joining me in 2 of the races to help fund raise, although conveniently booked at holiday during Reading Half! 

My company Intelligent Car Leasing are tracking my progress here..  http://www.intelligentcarleasing.com/community