In an attempt to demonstrate a token of the grit and determination my Dad has shown, and still is showing, in his fight with cancer I’m tackling the SAS’s “gruelling” Fan Dance test march on the 5^th January 2019.

Without the NHS and specifically the Royal National Orthopedic Hospital (the RNOH) our family story would be very different, and Dad would not be here.  We can’t repay the cost of his treatment but with your support and an almighty challenge we hope to give something back.

Read on….

What is the Fan Dance? In the SAS’s own words it’s 

a gruelling 24km selection test march used as the first test to see if someone has the physical and mental grit to join Special Forces 

In short, I will be donning full Tactical Advance to Battle (TAB) gear that includes a full weighted rucksack and trekking across Pen Y Fan in the Brecon Beacons as quickly as I can. It will be deepest winter, so the conditions will be harsh….low visibility, snow, ice and temperatures as low at -15degrees....

Dad’s very abbreviated story….Dad has a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer and with the help of the RNOH is battling hard to live life to the fullest.  

It started 2yrs ago in 2016 when a tumour grew so rapidly that in the space of a month it shattered his femur.  The result was a full leg amputation and ongoing complications with necrosis all resulting in a 5-month hospital stay and then enduring the strongest chemo available.  Dad never once complained, he got his head down and did everything within his power to recover, rehabilitate and come home for Christmas 2016.

Then in June this year came another blow; the cancer had returned, and this time on his pelvis.  In July Dad underwent extensive and traumatic
surgery to remove half his pelvis and part of his spine, spending over a week in intensive care where once again the teams at the RNOH saved his life.

After another 5 month hospital stay Dad is now home with his family. He's not healed so travels back to see the amazing tissue viability teams at RNOH every two weeks. 

Thank you for supporting me and dad with this challenge, the NHS is amazing and we should never let it go.