Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I have struggled with knowing what to write on this page and how much of my story to tell. 

In December 2016, just three days after my dad's 65th birthday, my world came crashing around me. I found out Dad had been diagnosed with Oesophageal cancer, even then, even with that diagnosis, it never occurred to me Dad wouldn't beat it. Dad was strong, and a fighter, he was always up for a challenge and never let anything get the better of him, so I was sure Cancer wouldn't stand a chance.

Eight days later we found out the cancer had spread and he would only be offered palliative care. Despite this he responded well to chemo and we were all hopeful that whilst his retirement may not have been as he had planned that he would be able to enjoy a
different retirement with Mum. 

As you can see from the photos he put on a brave face and walked me down the aisle on my wedding day in June 2017, although he was in a great deal of pain and discomfort at this point. 

Soon after my wedding we found out the cancer was spreading faster and more aggressively than expected, and that Dad would receive no further chemo. Just six weeks after these photos were taken he died in Weston hospice surrounded by his family. 

I cannot begin to comprehend the strength he had to summon following his initial diagnosis and prognosis, and to keep fighting until the end. But that was my dad, he was always a fighter. Dad being Dad tried to shield us from a lot of his pain and fear and it breaks my heart that he felt unable to share that pain and be supported by us. My only consolation is that he had support through this time both from MacMillan during his diagnosis and treatment and also in the hospice where he received his end-of-life care.

I will be forever grateful for the kindness of strangers who provided the support he needed when he was at his most vulnerable.

Please help support MacMillan by sponsoring me to run the Royal
Parks half marathon in October, so that they can keep providing support to people diagnosed with cancer and their families whilst they deal with the realities of this incredibly cruel disease.

In return for your donation I promise to train extra hard through
the summer, not spam your social media feeds with constant run updates and to strive to complete my first ever sub two hour half marathon at my ripe old age!

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Claire x