Why am I doing the Yorkshire 3-Peaks challenge?

Having been diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer and being kept alive by surgery and other treatment I have a strong sense of purpose to give something back. We know that 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime which will affect every family at some point until we find a cure. All donations will be combined with our upcoming Relay For Life event (see below) and will go to Cancer Research UK to help fund new innovations

My own cancer story

On 22nd July 2021 I was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer and life as I knew it was torn apart.

Uncertainty, risk, major surgery, living with a stoma, multiple rounds of chemotherapy as well as long periods of isolation became the new ‘norm’.

Fight or flight? I chose to fight this disease despite many physical and emotional challenges. I embarked on a journey to keep myself fit, eat healthier and continue to love life, whilst raising awareness of bowel cancer. I have raised money for Cancer Research UK doing gardening, running a half marathon on the spot, charity football matches, hosting a Halloween ball and providing Christmas (Santa Claus) videos to children

So 3 years on from my initial cancer diagnosis I am now tackling my biggest challenge in a bid to raise even more funds for Cancer Research UK.

On 13th July 2024 I aim to complete the Yorkshire 3-peaks challenge. This is described as being a ‘gruelling challenge’ with over 5200ft (1600m) of ascent and 40km in distance, all to be accomplished within 12 hours. Despite being reasonably fit this will be very tough for me!

Thank you for your fantastic support in helping me along my journey and also for your generosity in helping to find a cure for this deadly disease.

What is Relay For Life?

Relay For Life celebrates the power of community fundraising to make breakthroughs happen. Across the UK and the globe, teams of friends and family fundraise for world-leading cancer research. Then, we unite as a collective at a weekend-long festival to honour everyone affected by cancer and celebrate the progress we’re making. Together, we remember loved ones and celebrate the tomorrow’s made possible. Together we are beating cancer. How does the money you raise make a difference? When you fundraise for Relay For Life, we fund long-term research. And when we fund long-term research, we make more discoveries. Over time, these discoveries make giant strides towards a world where everyone lives longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer.