In the spring of 2019 I was diagnosed with cancer. Adenocarcinoma, a type of bowel cancer that has unfortunately also spread or metastesised to my liver. In other words I have advanced or stage 4 cancer or let's be fair the especially sh*t kind.

At 36 with a beautiful wife, an 18 month old baby boy (and now a baby girl on the way) this news rocked our world and has changed our lives forever.

After a year of chemotherapy things are so far going as well as they could be and my tumours are responding to treatment. How long that will last is uncertain and like many others in a new era of cancer treatment I'm living with cancer. It's not easy physically or mentally but I plan on living with cancer for as long as I can.

That's where you come in! I've decided that I want to do something positive to make a difference so I'm going to run the Great North Run. I'm not a runner and because of treatment I have roughly a third of the immune system and red blood cells of a normal person. Training and the big day won't be easy but I'm determined to take on and complete something I was never brave enough to take on as a well person.

I'm fundraising for North of England Children's Cancer Research, a charity that I have been involved with for over a decade, that funded research that saved my life when I had a totally different cancer as a child and that I'm now a trustee of. My fundraising target is ambitious but I know that with the support of family, friends, colleagues and anyone I know I can make it and hopefully a lot more besides.

Please spare what you can. Please feel free to share with friends and family. If you own a company please feel free to sponsor me that way. Your support towards world class research into childhood cancer here in Newcastle is greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Ian

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.