Demi Louise Brindley, my partner, my world, was diagnosed with Mucinous Ovarian Cancer in January 2018, at the age of 24. Demi passed away 18 months later, 12 days before her 26^th birthday.

I'm raising money for the ‘Do it For Demi Trust Fund’ (https://www.facebook.com/Do-It-For-Demi-Trust-Fund-109226900602224/), which has been set up in conjunction with The Eve Appeal. The Eve Appeal is the national charity funding research and raising awareness into the five women's gynaecological cancers: womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal.

During the start of 2019, one year after Demi’s diagnosis, we were informed that the cancer had progressed to a stage 4, (four months after being given the all-clear). During an emotional conversation, I mentioned to Demi I could do an Ironman, to help raise some funds for The Eve Appeal, a charity who Demi supported. Demi instantly took to the idea and made me promise on the spot that I would finish one on her behalf. The next morning I woke up questioning what I had agreed to do. I’ve always admired people who have finished the event, but I never thought it was likely that I would give it a go myself. An Ironman is a long-distance triathlon consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run all within a maximum time of 15 hours and 45 minutes. This is a massive challenge, but I knew it was nothing compared to what Demi was going through. 

The original plan was for me to complete an Ironman in the summer of 2020, with Demi supporting in the side-lines. At the end of April 2019, Demi’s health deteriorated at a faster rate than any of us would have predicted. Demi passed away at the Royal Trinity Hospice on the 12^th June 2019. During the last few weeks of Demi’s life, she repeatedly made me promise that I would finish an Ironman, raising money to help those who find themselves in a similar situation.

In September 2019 I finished my first ever sprint triathlon; 500m swim, 14 mile bike ride and a 3 mile run. With little training over the prior 5 months, I had completely underestimated the challenge!

To help me stay focused I have booked various events, leading up to the big day. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, many have been cancelled/postponed. Here's the updated list as of 10/08/21:

• 24^th  June 2020: Matt ran 27 miles for what would have been Demi's 27^th Birthday
• 6^th  Sept 2020: Shropshire Olympic Distance Triathlon

• 18^th July 2021: Staffordshire Half-Ironman 70.3 (in 31 degrees!)
• 8^th August 2021: London Olympic Distance Triathlon

• 5^th September 2021: Thun, Switzerland Ironman

Over this next year, we will be adding more events to this list. If you are around the area during any of these days, we would love the support.

You can follow me on my journey to becoming an Ironman through my Instagram page - this is where I will be providing lots of updates: https://www.instagram.com/matthew_steggles/

To track my workouts you can follow me on Strava:

Matthew's: https://www.strava.com/athletes/9344086

If you click on the picture above, you will be able to see many more pictures of Demi and me.

Early versions of this page included my brother Chris, who was going to do the Ironman with me, but unfortunately, he has had to pull out.

Do It For Demi Trust Fund’s Mission:

Demi’s cancer was detected too late, having been told originally that her ovarian cysts were benign (not cancerous). Women diagnosed with stage 1 or 2 ovarian cancer have a 90% chance of survival. But 70% of women are currently present at stage 3 or 4 – which means that they have at least a 70% chance of dying.

Donations to The Do it For Demi trust fund will specifically help fund three areas within The Eve Appeal (https://eveappeal.org.uk):

1. Ask Eve Information Service: Nurseled Information and support on all five gynae cancers.
2. Awareness raising
3. Ovarian Cancer Research

Our aim is to stop the people you love and care about being unnecessarily diagnosed too late; helping them understand symptoms and the importance of correct hospital procedures and checks.

Thank you for taking the time to visit and read our page.