My inspiring father Syd passed away December of last year at the age of 65. Far too early, he had so much left in life that he wanted to pursue. 

The time between diagnosis and his passing was 5 months, it was the blink of eye really. He was the bravest person I've ever witnessed as he endured months of pain from the disease itself, as well as the huge amount of chemotherapy treatment he was receiving and the mental torture of the frightening unknown.

He was my hero, as well as the best dad a son and daughter could ever ask for. He had a strong spirit for life and would be up for anything. He thrived on adventure and loved the great outdoors, the open roads to nowhere and to be truly wild was his ultimate dream.

Before he was diagnosed we planned to do the coast to coast walk together starting at St. Bees head in Cumbria trekking 192 miles finishing at Robin Hood Bay in Yorkshire and camping along the way. We so looked forward to it and wanted to be there doing it the second we thought of it. Our dream, to be in the middle of the wilderness away from the craziness of life, just the two of us.

After he was diagnosed I still believed in my heart he would get better and we would still do it together.  Even though this can now can never be the case, I will have him in my heart and soul for the whole journey and will speak to him all the way. I also plan to spread his ashes at the end of the walk.

I really want to collect money to go towards the research and early diagnosis of this crippling, silent disease. My biggest hope is that screening will become a high priority in people of a certain age  and the research into chemotherapy and clinical trials which will help people live longer but ultimately survive.

I will keep my dads memory alive for as long as I live as well as support this cause as I think it is so very important that the less people have to go through the pain of what my family suffered over this time.

I will be accompanied on the walk by the 2 most amazing ladies, Sophie and Sasha. They have been a strong support through this difficult time and they continue to be as they jumped in head first to come along with me. They are spirited, kind hearted ladies, so couldn't be happier that the 3 of us are taking on this challenge together, it means such a lot.

I know in my heart that my dad will be so happy that we are doing this and in turn raising money for pancreatic cancer. He will be with us every step of this adventure. Love you forever dad x