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On January 1st 2013, my brother, Alex, was diagnosed with 
osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer. For the next three months, he underwent intensive chemotherapy to try to shrink the tumour to an operable size, but it did not respond to treatment. It was then that we had to face the idea of amputation. Alex had the operation in April 2013, having his right arm and shoulder amputated. He continued to have treatment for the tumours in his lungs, but in January 2014, doctors told us there was nothing else they could do for him. Alex passed away on 13th March, aged 14.

Alex had a fall at the start of December 2012 and hurt his arm. He went to the GP as his arm didn't seem to be getting any better, but the doctor said that it was a muscular problem and sent him away with ibuprofen for the aches. After a week, and lots of rest, it wasn't any better so he returned to the GP. They referred him to Ilkeston Hospital, but it was going to take weeks for a referral for a scan. We took Alex to the A&E department at the Queen's Medical centre. They did an x-ray there and then which showed the cancer.

I am doing the longest and fastest zip line in Europe on 10th August to raise funds for the Bone Cancer Research Trust, and to raise awareness of bone cancer in memory of my amazing brother. The zip line is in Snowdonia, NorthWales (www.zipworld.co.uk/) and involves going face-first down a 1600 metres line, 500ft above a lake, reaching speeds of 100mph!

Alex fought bravely, always with a smile on his face, never once asking, "why me?" His courage, determination and thirst for life are a constant source of inspiration and strength to us all.

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