Thank you visiting our JustGiving page, this is why Andrea and I are running the Hastings Half Marathon on Sunday 25 March 2012. It's quite long but please take the time to read it and understand why we haven't set a target amount, we just want to raise the most we can - you know me, I don't do things by halves; I want to raise enough to sink a Battleship...

Dad - 28 April 1937 - 20 February 2012

In November 2008 Dad was diagnosed with bowel cancer and throughout 2009 he underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy and eventually, surgery in July that year. Although the pathology was not as bad as it could have been (Dukes A, with no marginal spread, for those that know), the position of the tumour made surgery difficult and he had to return to theatre a couple of times and eventually had a stoma made. This went well and Dad was happy with the final outcome and wanted to express his gratitude to the staff at The Conquest Hospital and Maidstone Hospital by running the Hastings Half Marathon this year (2012) to raise money for them. He started training in July 2011 but shortly after, he noticed ‘symptoms’ again. These were investigated and it was found that he had another tumour, totally unconnected to the first one. The position of this tumour was such that 5 specialists were consulted individually but they all reached the same conclusion; that surgery was not a viable option. Radiotherapy was not an option as he had had a full dose during treatment for his initial tumour and he had suffered some kidney damage during a period of sepsis in summer 2011 that negated chemotherapy too.

Dad (in his own words) has “…enjoyed the peace and comfort of a room at St Michael’s Hospice…” in St Leonard’s on Sea, since November last year.

Whilst Dad couldn’t take part in the Hastings Half Marathon himself, Andrea and I are, on his behalf. The race is on Sunday 25 March and we will each carry one of his training shoes, so he will be with us all the way and will complete it, uniquely, vicariously.

We are raising money for St Michael’s Hospice, to help them carry on their vital work and allow those who need, also to “enjoy the peace and comfort” there. There are a number of pieces of medical equipment that they will always need, varying in cost from £1,000 for a syringe driver (Dad used 2 of these for almost 4 months) to £18,000 for a bed (can we….?) and I have asked the doctors and nurses who cared for him so well, to let us know what they need most so that we can target our fundraising more specifically. Once we know what they want and need, I'll update this page. Other than this, we want to raise money so that they can focus their resources on what their patients need, regardless of cost but we also want to give some of the money for the maintenance and upkeep of the gardens and grounds – Dad loves his garden!

Please sponsor us for as much as you can, remembering to ‘Gift Aid’ it so that St Michael’s can claim the tax back. We have also put manual sponsorship forms in our local pubs and shops and are hoping to attract local (both to Mum and Dad and Andrea and me) press interest to help us publicise our quest.

Thank you.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to St Michael's Hospice and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.