Hello All

Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page and helping to fight Leukaemia.

Some of you may of been lucky enough to have met my dad/best mate (Brian Mayhook). The photo on my front page was taken only 6 weeks before I lost him to Leukaemia.

I had heard of Leukaemia, But thought it might even be a small town in Poland or a posh bottled beer.

But one day mine and mums world would fall apart without any warning.

Mum and Dad had been happily married for 40 years, childhood sweethearts and as for me and dad, we was the closest father and son team ever, we had become best mates, muckers, buddys and enjoyed eachothers company more than I can say. I thought that my bestest mate and dad would be around for ever, he was so strong, and seemed never to be ill. Then one day after a check up and a visit to the hospital we was told he had 6 months at the best. 

I honestly cant remember what happend from then onwards, we had entered a nightmare world with no warning, no hints, no signs, it was just there, a sick and twisted clock ticking away every minute we had left together.

We had to be strong for eachother. "one for all and all for one" dad used to say about the three of us. Dad was told that if he stayed in hospital he might get another month longer, but he said his place was at home holding my mum as he had done for last 40 years.

In the end we got 3 weeks, not 6 months.

People always asked me how mum was and how she had taken it, I guess people was frightened to but no one ever asked how I was. Maybe I played the Cheeky Cockney Chappie alittle to well, It felt like a large part of me had died, my best friend, dad, partner in crime had been taken from me and I had no one to turn to. Im an only child and mum is in a wheel chair, I had to stay strong.

This is where Leukaemia care came into my life. They have a totally free 24 hour phone line for people with or living around Leukaemia. If it wasnt for them I dont know how I would of coped.

Over the last 2 years, with a lot of sweat and running I have lost over 7 stone in weight (44kg). So here I am, my story told and counting down to the London Marathon 2012. Im not a born runner as I sureyou can tell by my photos, but im running every day and taking the training 100% serious. Most mornings if you fancy a laugh you will find me plodding along the river front.

So please help raise a penny or two for the great work Leukaemia care do and the life line they give to people with and living with or around Leukaemia.

Trust me that Just knowing that your not alone, that someone out there knows what your going though is priceless.

Please help, every penny really does count. And besides, think of the sight of me trying to run 26 miles, nows thats got to be worth a pound or two!

Thank you, Joe, mum and a greatly missed dad.

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So please dig deep and donate now.