In late 2014 my dad sadly passed away from pancreatic cancer. Roll back 4-5 years and you would have seen me pull over in a car in Vancouver as I first got a phone call that he had got cancer. Originally only in the bladder he quietly and unassumingly battled the disease, having multiple painful operations and drugs, until a couple of years later was given the all clear.

He had been so strong, funny and his usual self so much during this time that life almost didn't change from the simple words from the doctor. He was still the funny, silly, life-loving, golf playing dad I loved.

During early 2014 it was obvious that something again was not right, as he became short of breath and was having various issues with his health. It took a long time to diagnose, in-between which he went on living life with only minor outward thoughts on any worrying issues.

As he was finally admitted to hospital we still didn't understand the full implications, or what he exactly had; pancreatic cancer being infamously difficult to diagnose. It wasn't until only a couple of weeks before his death that we finally found out.

He passed away on the 16th October 2014 in the middle of the night. It had been a blessingly non-traumatic relatively short time that he was properly unwell, and that is almost all down to him and his character, never letting what I can only imagine the almost unbearable and unknowable get the better of him.

He was unanimously courageous and inspiring to all, funny, light hearted, always with a joke and an inspiration and role model for me. I've taken so much from him that in many ways I see him in myself almost daily - even the bad jokes! He'll be sadly, but fondly missed, always.

I'm raising money for Pancreatic Cancer in memory of my wonderful dad. It is one of the hardest cancers to diagnose, almost 80% of diagnosis's are made when the disease is too far advanced for surgery - the only curative treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Despite a survival rate of just 4% after five years, pancreatic cancer only receives 1% of the total cancer research spend, including government funding.

I'm hoping that any money and awareness I can raise will help others in similar situations receive more time in the life with loved ones, that ultimately, anyone who passes away with cancer receives.

Thanks to all