One of your best friends calls to tell you that they have been re-diagnosed with cancer (almost 4 years to the day that they were given the all clear) and that it's back worse than ever. You heart sinks, you have a lump in your throat, tears in your eyes and you want to scream from the top of the nearest hill that what you heard was not true. I really did run to the top of the nearest hill and scream lots of indecent words that day.

Kasia was told she had circa 2.5 months to live from that day, but she surpassed all odds and survived nearly a year to her re-diagnosis date. She fought each and every single day with all her will and the biggest smile on her face. She was truly an inspirational to everyone that knew her. One day last summer after her diagnosis, I woke up and thought to myself what challenge can I do to help Kasia fundraise for her crowdfunding treatment? I knew of a friend at work who had recently done an Ironman and I thought that's it, that's what I am going to challenge myself to help fundraise, for me that won't be easy.

Throughout the winter & spring months I have been training as hard as I possibly can to embark upon what will be an extremely tough month of events:

2nd July: Edinburgh 70.3IM (1.2 mile swim; 56 mile ride; 13 mile run)

6th - 9th July: Work charity cycle Vienna to Prague (circa 400 miles, 4 days)

30th July: Zurich IM (2.4 mile swim; 112 mile ride; a marathon!)

The Ironman events are going to be the hardest challenges I have undertaken in my life. I know Kasia will be with me each and every step of the way to help me overcome my fears and challenges. Sadly Kasia could not overcome her biggest challenge, but she did not give up without a fight.

I please ask you to support me in my madness(!) as I help a very worthwhile cause so close to my heart and I know so many friends and families too - Cancer Research UK. We live in hope that further cures can be found for more strains of cancer - it was one of Kasia's last wishes and I wish to see this through for her.