Dad was first diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in 2015 and underwent a couple of years worth of palliative treatment at the Royal Marsden. Towards the end of 2017 his treatment was stopped as it was no longer helping him and St Raphael’s Hospice took over his case.

St Raphael’s are based less than a mile away from us in North Cheam and over the years have cared for members of Sam’s family in their final months, weeks and days.

Dad was adamant that he didn’t want to go into the hospice so they came and set up a hospital bed at home and, alongside nurses from Marie Curie, they cared for him at home, where he wanted to be.

He was in and out of hospital in his final months and had brilliant care and treatment from the paramedics who came out to him multiple times, St Helier Hospital, and the Marie Curie nurses (one of whom was with him when he died), and if I could fundraise for all of them I would!

His final weeks and days in early 2017 were pretty awful but the care he received from St Raphael’s and the team around him was excellent. While it’s hard to know how much he was aware of by the end he was comfortable and so well cared for, which made it a little bit easier for Mum, Barry, Clare and I.

Since I started running a few years ago I have gradually been entering more and more events (because I do love a medal!) and have now run (jogged...) a few half marathons. Although I have become more comfortable running long distances, and sometimes even find it (sort of) enjoyable, the thought of running a whole marathon fills me with almost as much dread as having to raise £2000 does! Honestly, the way I feel when I have done 13 miles I have no idea yet how I am going to manage 26...but I’ll get there somehow!

I will make sure I update this page occasionally throughout my training, so I can share the pain of just how awful it is! And feel free to laugh smugly at me throughout winter while you are sitting in your warm house and I am out running in the wind and rain...again!

Anything you can donate to help keep me going and, more importantly to help St Raphael’s continue to do their amazing work, would be SO appreciated!

Amy