What are you passionate about?!

Tony Millns, my dad, was definitely born with maritime blood in his veins. From early youth, for a significant part of his professional career, throughout his family life and well into his retirement years, he was deeply passionate about the sea, ships and sailing.

Unwittingly, however, his lungs were also laden with asbestos particles from the early years in the merchant navy, supervising cargo loading and unloading. Tragically, this exposure would relentlessly and fatally catch up with him almost fifty years later in the form of mesothelioma cancer.

The June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund is a UK-based, independent charity whose main objective is to sponsor and promote vital research into the causes and treatment of this "time-bomb" form of cancer. When dad passed away in November 2005, this charity was chosen as beneficiary of all the donations made by his family and friends.

Now, on the eve of the 10^th anniversary of his death, I have set myself a double personal challenge:

• Firstly, to run 10km (5.4 nautical miles – somehow, it makes it seem a little less far!) on Sunday 25^th October in the event organized by my neighbourhood in Barcelona (http://crospopulardesants.cat/). It is the first time I have ever participated in a race of this kind and of any distance, so my aim is simply to cross the finishing line in as dignified a manner as possible!!

• Secondly, I hope to raise money again for JHMRF, in memory of my dad, and also as a small contribution to the many, many other families that are impacted by mesothelioma.

And this is where you come in! I would be very grateful if you could sponsor my challenge by donating to JHMRF via JustGiving (*).

(*) “Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.”