Earlier this year, my good friend Lee Albino (Beano) was taken to hospital with a broken leg and after several scans and biopsy, a rare form of bone cancer was discovered in his femur. Devastatingly, he was left with no choice but to have his right leg amputated to the hip joint.

Having visited him several times pre and post operation his bravery and courage was inspirational, never once did any of his family/friends hear him complain about this life changing condition.

Beans is to now undergo gruelling chemotherapy to fully eliminate any further cancer cells that could be present.

Once Chemotherapy is complete, Lee is hopeful of starting his new way of life with a new leg and must learn to walk again. The cost of a leg is £60k plus and amazingly, Phil Gray from Watts Commercial and all the rest of Lee’s friends and family, including all of his colleagues at Shawbrook Bank, have been working hard raising funds with over £30k raised so far towards this excellent cause. Go team Beano! View the main just giving page - beanosbionicleg

I am fortunate to have gained a ballot entry into this year's Berlin Marathon and I wanted to help Beans, my friend for over 20 years, in some way so please, if you can donate anything at all to this cause that would be fantastic. All proceeds raised from Berlin4beano will be added to the collection when complete. Thanks,

Paul.