On 4 December 2017, our world was turned upside down when Marcus was diagnosed with bowel cancer. At that stage, we didn’t know much about bowel cancer but it was a steep learning curve.  Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the second biggest cancer killer. However, it is treatable and curable if diagnosed early.  We soon learned that Marcus' cancer was inoperable and that any treatment would be palliative.  Sadly, despite a gallant fight, Marcus died on 4th April 2019, aged 46.

Despite his diagnosis, Marcus continued to approach his life and treatment positively and with his usual humour.  We spent the next 16 months making memories for ourselves and his children, Adam and Klara.  During this time, we got married, had 5 holidays, attended several concerts and went on numerous days out.  In fact, as fast as I was organising things to tick items off Marcus’ bucket list, he was adding them at the other end!  We were all proud of the way Marcus dealt with the challenge of living with bowel cancer and his positive approach helped to keep us all going.

Now it's my turn for a challenge.  I don’t believe in asking for sponsorship to do something easy so I wanted to do something challenging to raise money and awareness for Bowel Cancer UK. 

When Marcus died, to quote him, I couldn’t even run a bath. A few weeks later, I watched the 2019 London Marathon in my pyjamas whilst sitting on the sofa.  A couple of days later, I found myself entering the ballot for a place in the 2020 marathon.  Whilst it was still a bit of a joke at this stage, I decided I ought to see whether I could actually run! 

At the beginning of June 2019 I started the C25k with the brilliant West Berkshire Run Together group. With their help and support, at the beginning of August I ran my first 5k without stopping or walking. Now all I need to do is increase this distance by 37k! Whilst it doesn't compare to the challenge Marcus faced, I think that’s enough of a challenge to ask for your hard earned money in sponsorship and I hope you agree.

Bowel Cancer UK are the UK's leading bowel cancer charity. They are determined to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer. Your support will help stop people dying of bowel cancer by funding vital services and lifesaving research.

I know that if Marcus were here, once he’d picked himself up off the floor from laughing, I know he’d have been my biggest supporter. Sadly, he won’t be there to celebrate with me at the finish but I hope that the money I raise in his memory will contribute towards a future where fewer lives, like Marcus’, are lost and fewer families, like mine, have to deal with the devastating consequences of losing a loved one to bowel cancer.

If you are able to help me achieve this by sponsoring me to run the marathon, I and Bowel Cancer UK would be very grateful.

Thank you.