Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Thanks to everyone who supported and/or donated to my 24hrs Stand Up To Cancer challenge yesterday. It was a cracking, but exhausting day, ending at midnight in the The King Charles. As a result, I have managed to raise over £800 towards Cancer Research UK (including Gift Aid on JustGiving donations). Special thanks go to South Central Ambulance Service Control Room, South West Trains and Winchester Railway Station, Luna Yoga & Health and New Energy Fitness, Winchester Travel Health Clinic, River Park Leisure Centre, and, of course, The King Charles pub in Kings Worthy.Vicky died of cancer in April 2012. Prior to her illness she had been an avid advocate and supporter of cancer research projects and had participated in many fundraising events to generate donations for cancer charities. Since the mid-nineties, she had run in the annual 'Race for Life' in Southampton or Winchester - one year running a second time in Harlow so that she could do so with her young nieces. In her 39th year she ran the London Marathon and, with her three team runners, raised several thousand pounds for leukaemia research.

Vicky lost her grandparent and aunt to cancer.  Her early 'Race for Life' running partner survived breast cancer and she supported her father-in-law through treatment for prostrate cancer. She also helped friends and colleagues who had to live with or had been bereaved through cancer.

Vicky never smoked cigarettes, was physically fit and active - playing competitive football and running - up until shortly before she died. She was lively, vivacious, witty, intelligent, caring, supportive and inspirational. She loved her family and friends, music, theatre, art, literature, sport (especially football), politics, travel and life in general.

Vicky was six months short of her 45th birthday when she died.

Sadly, for as much as I can eulogise about Vicky, her story is not unique.  Many people, young and old, are killed by cancer every day.  Too many! I attended the funeral of one of Vicky’s friends last week. Two friends that I have known for many years are currently fighting with cancer. The more I tell Vicky’s story, the more heart breaking tales I encounter.

Supporting charities that fund research into cancer - how it works, how it spreads and, most important, how we can control its behaviour - is vital in the fight to reduce the devastating impact cancer has on humanity.

I know that I am constantly asking people to make donations and I know that many, indeed all, of our friends do so much to help.  I make no apology that I will continue to ask and will continue to believe that people always do what they can. What we must not do is think that this is going to go away any time soon.  Cancer research funding is and will be a continued need if we are to reach the ultimate goal of eradicating cancer.

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.