UPDATED STORY:



In June this year I was diagnosed with Cancer for the 5th time which means for more than a decade I’ve lived with Cancer. Over 12 years, through five diagnoses and four remissions it has been the one constant in my life, it has taken my brain and my body into the darkest places but thanks to medicine, friends, loved ones, a lot of faith, a sense of humour and an indomitable will I find myself here. 

I am truly grateful and blessed to be alive today and to be as physically able as I am. The body and the mind are amazing things so to celebrate them both I am going to take on 4 challenges in 2017 to ‘Kick at the Darkness’; to hopefully inspire a little, to raise money for a wonderful charity and to show that ordinary people can do extra ordinary things.

What makes this year even more special is that along the way some amazing people are joining me, each one has their own relationship with Cancer in some way but all are linked by the common denominators of wanting to make a difference and knowing that “If you want to travel fast travel alone but if you want to travel far travel together”

First on the list was The Longhorn Marathon on 23rd April, this off road 26.2mile marathon is in Sherwood Forest and was a lovely way to start the year. Joining me for the longest run he’s even done is the amazing Michael McCarthy, a man who doesn’t know the meaning of the word can’t.

Second on the list was the Dragon Ride L’etape Wales on the 11th June. I did the Grand Fondo, a 143mile bike ride in through and around South Wales which I actually stopped at 100 miles because I was hating it and if cancer has taught me anything its to not do things you hate.

Third for the year is the Race to the King on the 24th June, this is a one-day 53mile Ultra marathon along the South Downs finishing at Winchester Cathedral.  I absolutely loved this, I've never been so sore or had such blisters but what a way to spend 27 hours!  It was bordering a spiritual experience to spend that long on my feet but I would recommend it.

Unfortunately I've had to postpone the Cycle across the USA because with the way the cancer is progressing by the time I returned from the trip I would be looking at treatment in the next couple of weeks and that wouldn't be fair on my team, my employer or me.  So whilst wallowing in the disappointment of that a friend rang me and said why don't you do the Weymouth half Ironman so after at least three seconds of consideration I said yes.

So on 17th September I will be doing a 1.2 mile sea swim, followed by a 56 mile bike ride concluding with a 13.1 mile run. because if chance favours the prepared mind then opportunity favours the prepared body.  I may have cancer for the fifth time but until such time that I can't do these things then I will continue to do them.  I would urge you to find your own way to say Fuck cancer.  This is mine.

I’m doing this because I can, I’m doing this to give back and I’m doing this to raise a lot of money for a charity I care about. UCARE is an Oxford based charity that was founded by the oncologist that has treated me all this time. The charity specialises in education and research into Urological cancers (Kidney, Bladder, Prostate and Testicular) It’s a small charity that doesn’t spend thousands on non-essentials and I know that the £36,500 I want to raise will make a massive difference to the work they do.

If you can relate to my story or it inspires you in any way then I’m pleased I was able to help a little. If you’d like to make a donation then thank you and if you could or would share this story with your friends, followers then I would be eternally grateful.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kickatthedark

If you would like to talk to me about anything then feel free to reach out, I’m happy to help and of course if you’re a business that would like to make a donation or sponsor part or some of this year in exchange for me talking to your teams or something else then I can do that too.