Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Many of you may know that I recently lost my dad. Here is our story.

In March 2014, after becoming increasingly unwell, my dad was taken to hospital in an ambulance, so ill he couldn't walk anymore. 

The previous week we had taken him to the Conquest Hospital for an MRI scan & the whole experience caused him excruciating pain. We knew he was poorly, (he had lost a lot of weight, couldn't eat, walk, sit, watch TV, in fact he had lost the will to do anything and we didn't know why) but we had NO idea how ill he was or what it was that was wrong. 

Until it was too late. 

We were quickly told by the Doctors at the Conquest Hospital, following a body scan that the Cancer that had been silently growing inside him, in many different places in his body. There was nothing they could do except make him as comfortable as possible.

On March 24th, somehow, I ran the Hastings Half Marathon,  my third attempt. I had trained a bit, but I was not really fit for it. I ran a PB. My dad lying in hospital got me round. 

On March 29th 2014 my dear dad passed away at St Michael's Hospice. 11 days before his 65th birthday. 

We miss him every single day.

I have heard people say "but everyone raises money for them" when I mention St Michael's Hospice. Well, perhaps there's a very good reason for that? 

Cancer touches the lives of so many people. Everyone of us will probably have been affected by it at some time in our lives, either directly or through a family member or friend.

The devastation cancer causes is absolute. Whether you're able to battle it and beat it, or it's too late for your body to fight, it's life changing to everyone involved.

The Hospice provides help not only to the sufferer, but to their  carers and loved ones, gives support, respite and ultimately care when it's needed most.

What would we do without it?

To be able to continue and improve on the unrivalled care and support the Hospice provides it needs our help!

I'm not asking you to donate for me, or even necessarily for my dad.  Do it for anyone you have known or cared for who has been affected by this terrible disease. Do it for St Michael's Hospice and their wonderful staff and volunteers. Do it because you never know when you, or someone you love might need it in the future.

I will be running the New York marathon on 01 November 2015, for me, for my dad and to raise money for the place that helped my family when we needed it most. If you feel you'd like to make a donation, no matter how small, the price of your coffee one morning, you can do it here. Thank you for your support and thank you for reading.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.