Graeme’s Story

We all have a friend like Graeme, the one that doesn't steal the limelight, the one who always listens to you, the one that always has your back.  He is that friend, the one you call, and know that without a shadow of a doubt, he will be there, no questions asked to help out.  Graeme is my Welsh brother, who never seems to age.

Until one day they are not there.

My friend Graeme has been diagnosed with incurable Prostate Cancer, and if I am honest I feel I bit helpless. 

He is being supported by his wonderful wife Michele and his family & friends have all rallied around him. 

All he has asked of me is that I raise awareness and remind mates, colleagues, family members & strangers to get checked, I do as he asks, but it doesn’t quite feel like enough. 

The last time we met up, we laughed, joked and reminisced about old times.  His adoring wife Michele got Graeme a hula hoop to help with exercise and mobility, “it’s good for your core” I remember her stating behind her smirk.  To keep up the fun and games, I weighed in.  I declared confidently, “Graeme, if you do that every day, I will run the London Marathon”

The next day, I am back in London, I am head-deep in work, and my what’s app pings. It’s Michele.  A short video shows my friend, shirt off, the sun glistening off his tattooed ex-doorman body, hula hooping.  He is smiling.

Now, he is smiling, either because Michele has made him laugh, or what is more likely, is that he realises his 5 mins of relaxing hip rotating, in the sun, equates to me running the marathon…which means, hours and hours of me running in the rain…..

My Story

Now I need to set the record straight, I am not a runner

In year 7 at school, I achieved 5.6 in the bleep test.  I managed to beat one other person, however, truth be told they were on crutches.

It gets worst, 8 years ago, I had a back operation on a herniated disc and 5 years ago I fractured my L3/L2 falling off a ladder at work.

So why a marathon, the main reason is that I get to do it.  I get to lace up those trainers and pound the pavement.  At the beginning of my training, I remember feeling in such pain and discomfort that I thought I couldn’t go on,  my heart was pounding, my watch was saying stop, my lungs screamed in agony, and my calves were burning, but then I remembered, my mate Graeme is battling cancer, what I am complaining about.

Let’s face it, I am asking friends, family, and work colleagues to sponsor me to run in one of the world’s greatest mass participation events.  The London Marathon is amazing.  It really is. It’s the epitome of the human spirit and togetherness, and I get to be part of it.  

I didn’t feel right asking people to sponsor me to do something, which is yes, incredibly hard, but it is such an amazing event.  

Therefore I am asking you to support my self-imposed challenge of pushing myself further than I ever imagined I could. This just-giving page will remain open for one year, which I will look to achieve the following

THE BIG THREE

London Marathon

London to Brighton Bike Ride

Swim Serptine

Just because that wasn't enough

Push for Prostate - where I aim to hit 750 press ups in 1 hour

London Big Half

Vitality 10k

& any other challenge sent my way

More to follow……

I also hope to host a string of social events

Pub Quiz at The Victoria Stakes

Comedy Night & Raffle

More to follow…

You will be able the follow my journey on my Instagram under the #myfriendgraeme  

Please also let me know if you have any ideas on how I can raise money for this great cause.  

I am up for anything and together let us help achieve Graeme's wish for spreading awareness about Prostate UK, and men getting tested.

I would like to take this moment to thank those who are supporting me on this journey, you know who you are!!!