My family had never been affected by cancer, but things changed on the 30th March. My dad was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. As I write this, he's receiving palliative care and based on the prognosis we've been given it’s unlikely he will see the month of June. I have never been more motivated to raise some money for cancer support.

 

Before Christmas my dad was a very able 65 year old, working in a job he enjoyed, swimming every day and socialising every night! He was care free and ‘healthy’. At the end of February he had a limp and complained of severe headaches, so went to the doctors for tests. His decline since has been unbelievable. Today he's flat out in a hospital bed, blind in one eye, can hardly string a sentence together and has next to no control of his legs and arms. The cancer spread has been rapid and aggressive. It’s been so quick that we’ve hardly had a chance to understand what’s happening.

 

Of course, we’re not the first family to be affected by Cancer and we certainly won’t be the last, but I have the opportunity to raise some money to help towards a Maggie’s Cancer Care Centre in Aberdeen that will make a difference to those affected in the future.

 

I have set up this just giving page for the Monty’s Maggie’s Appeal which will help bring some support to the next families who may suffer similarly.

 

I didn't feel any one event was going to encourage you to part with a fiver or two so I have signed up for a selection of events throughout 2012 that will mean I have to push myself in return for your donation. I’m also going to find a marathon to compete in during the later part of the year if that helps you part with your hard earned cash!

 

So far I have the following events lined up:

·         Etape Caledonia (81 miles cycling)

o   13 May (http://www.etapecaledonia.co.uk/)

·         Cairngorm 100 (100 miles cycling)

o   2 June (http://www.handsonevents.co.uk/Events/Cairngorm/cairngorm.htm)

·         Lairig Ghru (26 mile classic run through heart of the Cairngorms)

o   24th June (http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceDetails.aspx?RaceID=RA-0067)

·         Ride the North (160 miles cycling)

o   21 and 22 September (http://www.ride-the-north.co.uk/event-details/)

 

I am thankful for any contributions, and I am looking forward to making a difference,

Ian