In 2008, the Warwick School community lost a father figure in Mr Grahame Ward to cancer.

For 29 years, Grahame was a hugely popular arts teacher and senior boarding housemaster who inspired, and cared most greatly for the thousands of boys who were lucky to be taken under his wings. He was a talented artist who drew, painted, inspired us to fulfil our potential, and who showed us that hard work really does pay off.

In the Boarding House, Grahame was a father figure to generations of Warwick School boarders who came from all corners of the world to study at Warwick. In the 7 years I boarded, his warm and welcoming personality made the boarding house a home away from home. He was there to talk to when things got tough. He was supportive and encouraging of my ambitions. His sense of fun, humour, and tireless work around the boarding house even beyond school hours was an inspiration to us all.

I will never forget those happy moments when we performed a comedy sketch on stage in front of hundreds of boys and teachers at the annual boarding house entertainments evening. Or when he hid my shoes from me as I got ready to leave from the exam room following an A-Level exam paper.

Grahame's gentle, kind and friendly personality is sorely missed not just in the Boarding House but throughout the Warwick community. After leaving Warwick, I still carry with me, and hold dearly, the values Grahame has taught me. Without Grahame, I would not have achieved what I have gone on to achieve. I would not be the person I am today.

In memory of a wonderful man who has inspired, not just me, but a generation of boys, I am taking on the 10k Winter Run challenge for Cancer Research in London on 31 January.

I'm not looking to smash a personal best, nor am I in the best of shape. But I hope to just keep on going, just as Grahame had taught me. I hope that by doing so, inspirational and father figures likes Grahame can continue to inspire those around them.