Hi all,

Firstly, apologies for asking for money a) in turbulent times, b) for a UK based charity when a number of you are based elsewhere, c) for using 1000 words where 3 will do, d) if I seem heavy handed, it's not intended..... this is personal, and e) for being so British and apologising so much.

Why am I asking?

As I get 'a little' older, I accumulate more and more stories of the victims of cancer.  It tires me to hear of people more decent than I could aspire to be being indiscriminately struck by such vile and invasive illnesses.  Though it has brought out the kindness, support and ultimately 'the best' in friends, the tragedy and suffering that accompanies is overwhelming and any opportunity to alleviate this should be embraced.

Over the past few years there's been a seismic shift in the shape of 'the Howe' family's world, with a new and unwanted bedfellow to cast a permanent shadow.  Unfortunately that shift was rendered irreversible and my Mum lost her very brave battle with numerous cancers on September 11th this year.  I was tremendously proud to see all of my mums wonderful friends pay tribute at her funeral, with hundreds turning out to offer condolences and thanks at the selfless kindness she offered throughout her life.  This, however, offers little consolation as my Dad tries to figure out what a day looks like alone, and my mum, aged 60, will never meet her grandchildren.

Thats our story, but I'm sure that all too many of you have your own.

Treatments are getting better, and chances of survival are increasing, but there's an abundance of technology in the pipeline so advancements are far from complete.  The sooner these advancements can become mainstream the greater our armoury for combatting all forms of cancer, and this must be worth some spare cash, if you have it.

On Sunday I ran the Singapore marathon, although this appears somewhat irrelevant and serves mainly as a useful excuse to ask you to part with some of your hard earned dollars/ drachma/ sterling.  I'm asking late as I had no intention of running, until a last minute opportunity presented itself.

Thanks in advance for your generosity.

Rich

xxx