What started off as a normal summer quickly took a turn for the worse when dad went for a check-up, only to be told that he was in the advanced stages of bowel cancer, and that it was beyond any form of treatment. 

Dad has since spent the summer in and out of hospitals, but mostly in palliative care at home with us in Dorset. No-one should have to care for a terminally ill loved-one on their own, and that's where Marie Curie come in: they are a nationwide charity that provides care to people with terminal illnesses.

The care we have provided for dad as a family has been supported by three to four visits a day from these nurses, and words cannot describe how loving and professional each and every one of them has been...and I know that dad himself is extremely grateful for everything Marie Curie have done...so I’d really appreciate your help to give something back to a charity that makes a big difference to thousands of people’s lives every single day.

One of the places I have most of my happiest memories with dad is Buenos Aires: he lived there, I lived there, and he loved coming out to visit as often as he could. His favourite thing to do was sitting with a Quilmes and a Times cryptic crossword on the corner of Santa Fe and Godoy Cruz and watching the world go by (see picture above)...

Outside of Scotland, I’m pretty sure it’s one of his favourite places on earth. So on 23 September I'll be running my first ever marathon, in Buenos Aires, for dad and for Marie Curie.

The charity relies on people's donations, so any contribution at all that you feel you can make, however small, would be gratefully received, not just by Marie Curie, but also to all the families that this incredible charity provides support to.

Heartfelt thanks,

Calum (and Dad)