We are all aware of Cancer and the affect that it can have on our lives, however, when a family member or loved one is affected by the disease, whatever the form, it has an enormous impact on your life! 

Right now, there are 2.5 million people living with cancer in the UK. By 2020, almost 1 in 2 people (47%) will get cancer in there lives.

So imagine yourself 2 years from now....

And now imagine that nearly 50% of the people that you care about , could be affected by cancer at some point in their lives... 

In 2012, my family was rocked by the news that our Grandmother had been diagnosed with Bowl Cancer. Now I'm sure, we all get those thoughts of, 'but it won't happen to me' from time to time but for Margaret Hutcherson, aged 72, she was now faced with the reality that she had cancer. 

Luckily for us, Margaret is as tough as they come! She was strong and lucky enough to overcome everything that cancer had to throw at her, not once but twice! With the support of the team at 'Velindre Cancer Centre' she is now 6 years clear and she celebrated her 80th birthday party with friends and family. Margaret will be celebrating her diamond wedding anniversary later this year, and this got me thinking, not everyone is as lucky as us, so is there something I can do to give more families a fighting chance? 

A light bulb moment, I know what I can do, why don't I put myself through Ironman Wales again? You know what that is right? It's basically a triathlon based in the heart of Pembrokeshire that is often described as the 'one of the toughest one day endurance races on the planet! A 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride followed by a full marathon, all to be completed in a 17 hour time period. 

So now you thinking, that's impossible! But if there's one thing about Ironman, its proven time and time again that anything is possible! If I can help raise awareness of cancer and spread the word that no matter what your faced with, anything is possible, hell yea, lets put myself through the most mentally and physically demanding thing I can think of. The one regret I have from completing my first Ironman was not raising funds for the amazing support that Velindre give too so many. 

Through competing in Ironman triathlon, I'v met some amazing people and I have some great training partners. One man who's becoming a huge part of my journey to Ironman Wales 2018 is Tom McCarthy. For many of you, you wont know who he is, but this man is an absolute inspiration to be around! Diagnosed with Testicular Cancer in 2011, Tom went on to get the all clear in September 2017, and in the same month completed Ironman Wales for the first time. Now that's one hell of an achievement Tom! 

I have an incredible support network that will get me to that beach and over the line on September 9th, however, when it gets tougher than tough, I will be inspired and driven forward by the contagious strength that my grandmother and Tom have in spades!

So if your still reading this, happy days, I have been successful in raising awareness.

If your still reading this thinking, do you know what, that sounds like a great cause to donate some of my hard earned money to, then no matter what the donation, I would be incredibly grateful!  

You can follow everything I'm doing on my Instagram (im_matt_hutch) so you can see first hand what people training for an Ironman have to go through. 

Thanks for taking time out to check out my fundraising page... 

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