Having completed four half distance ironman triathlon's, I have wanted to do the full distance event and my wife Anna finally gave me her blessing last autumn with the training starting 9 months ago.

Training for an event that comprises a 3.8km swim, 180km bike and marathon run has meant lots of 5am wake ups trying not to wake the kids up. Onto the turbo trainer or in the local pool through the dark winter days made me appreciate that this journey should be used to try and raise some money for two very worthy charities.

There are so many worthy causes that we can support right now, the two charities for which I am fundraising for have personal reasons.

When my brother was diagnosed with Kidney Cancer he had one of his kidneys removed.  Unfortunately the cancer returned and it was only down to the amazing work of the Christie Hospital with their revolutionary immunotherapy treatment that he is still here today and his two boys still have their dad. Through this traumatic time he found huge support in communicating with others who had been through or were going through the same thing.

The Kidney Cancer Support Network (KCSN) is the largest and most active patient-led charity, supporting the largest network of kidney cancer patients and carers across the UK. They strive to improve the lives of those affected by kidney cancer by advocating for the best possible clinical care and treatment, raising awareness and providing vital support and information to anyone affected by kidney cancer. The KCSN is widely recognized as the specialist charity for kidney cancer in the UK, led by patients for patients. KCSN is now known as Action Kidney Cancer.

Along with Action Kidney Cancer (previously KCSN) the other charity where half of the fund raising will go is Macmillan Cancer Support.  

After speaking to we people who have been affected by cancer recently, most said that Macmillan do such amazing work providing information and support to those who really need it.

Your donations initially go to Action Kidney Cancer (previously KCSN) and will be split 50/50 between the two charities once fund raising has ended.

I realise that times are particularly difficult for people at the moment and so appreciate even more any donations that people are kind enough to make.

Today the 16th June is World Kidney Cancer Day