Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

As many of you will know in May 2022 I was diagnosed with testicular cancer.  To say this came as an unpleasant surprise would be something of an understatement and I don't mind saying that it severely impacted on my mental health and confidence in a way which was totally alien to me.

My illness was treated with an operation and 3 courses of chemotherapy in the care of the truly excellent urology and latterly oncology teams at Cheltenham General Hospital which I'm very relieved to say appears to have been successful.

I'm currently undergoing continued monitoring on a regular basis, and although there is a risk that I may need some additional treatment in future, I'm told that the outlook is very positive.

The upshot of this was that having been given the all clear after what was a fairly miserable summer in 2022 , and in a moment of what I can only describe as post-chemo insanity, I signed up to compete in an event called the Wales ROC which takes place on 13 May this year.

The ROC consists of a 1.5km swim off Abersoch beach, a 49.5km bike ride out into Snowdonia, a 12km run up the John Watkins Path to the summit of Snowdon and back, a 45.5km bike ride back to Abersoch and finally a 1km run along the beach to finish.

I confess that I hadn't realised what a low ebb my fitness was at when I started the training back in January this year, and although it has gradually improved, with just 28 days to go I am feeling more than a little apprehensive...

I hadn't initially thought that I would ask for any sponsorship but my thoughts changed after the death of my cousin, Simon Barnby, of liver cancer on Saturday 9 April 2023.

Simon was just 34 years old and faced up to his illness with an incredible stoicism and bravery which was both moving and heartwarming in equal measures.  He was an incredibly motivated and fit individual who had been in the Pathfinder Platoon of the British Army's Air Assault Brigade, and someone who I was very proud of even if I never got the opportunity to tell him that.  He was also an amazing endurance runner, and I feel sure he'll give a wry smile at my efforts to stagger up the mountain albeit with a healthy nod of encouragement and support.

Very sadly Simon's illness was incurable and as a small tribute to him I thought I'd try and raise some money for St Michael's Hospice in Hereford who cared for him and supported his family during the last few weeks of his life. 

Quite apart from keenly feeling for the loss of Simon, this feels especially personal because of my own illness and although thankfully I had no need of similar hospice care I think we are all indebted to them in the work they do.

Any support would be gratefully appreciated and I'll keep you posted on how I get on.

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