Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page!

To those of you who have heard me moaning or going on about my running you'll know that I am running a half marathon in September in memory of my Granddad.  Yes I am hoping to complete 13 miles of hardcore running without falling over, getting scabby knees and falling flat on my face!  This will be an achievment as I have already managed to trip and fall during training on a few occasions...

I am running with Aoife and we have both chosen to run for Beating Bowel Cancer as we have both suffered losses from this often very hard to detect cancer.  

Granddad

My Granddad passed away a year and a half ago, almost immediately after he was diagnosed.  Although he had suffered with stomach problems for over a year before the diagnosis, his condition went undiagnosed despite many hospital tests and appointments.  This mis-diagnosis meant that the last year of my Granddad's life was not as comfortable as it could have been.  He was in constant pain and became agitated and annoyed because he could not go out and do the things he liked to do best.

For those of you that knew my Granddad you will all remember what a kind, knowledgable, mischievious and life-loving man he was.  Granddad was a keen golfer and always liked to have drink (his favourite Speckled Hen) - he would never miss an opportunity to go down the pub and have a natter about the old days.  He taught me out of date words like pallyass and muffler, told me about old money and his early life growing up on Turkey Tump.  Granddad would always ferry us around to our various activities, give us chocolate treats and stay up late if he was baby-sitting.  

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These memories are what make me so determind to raise money for Beating Bowel Cancer.  I hate knowing that other sufferers are going through the same pain as he did.  Also that their loved ones have to sit and watch, helpless to the more sinister side of nature.

I know that we can raise enough money it will help spread awareness about this form of cancer and also help detect it an earlier stage.  Bowel Cancer is very common and if more people are aware of the symptoms and screening process then we can stop people needless dying and living their lives in pain.

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 the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now - before I do myself another injury!