Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I am running the great Birmingham run on Sunday October 15th . As many of you know I have enjoyed running for a number of years and have run for numerous charities to help to raise much needed funds. However, this time I am running for a charity that has had a great personal effect on myself & my family members.

My father-in-law, Gordon Watson is facing his greatest challenge ever after being diagnosed several years ago with Metastatic prostate cancer. Little did we know when he was first diagnosed how debilitating this disease would  become. He has faced every obstacle thrown at him, including chemotherapy radiotherapy , and three spinal fractures, always with a smile on his face. He said he wouldn't let cancer beat him. He has been the rock of his family and has always been upbeat about life , chatting to anyone & everyone.He has always had the ability to cheer someone up.

However, over the last the few months the cancer has cruelly taken this wonderful man's smile away.

The pain Gordon has been in has crushed him and it has been unbearable for his family and loved ones  to see, he has become a shadow of his former self, both physically & emotionally. It is heartbreaking for everyone who loves him as he has had no more fight in him. He went off his legs, couldn't be bothered to eat drink or even have a conversation with his wife & family and no one could blame  him for the amount of pain he has been suffering. His family were at a loss as to what to do  to help him.

Bring in St Giles Hospice! Gordon has always thought it was a place to die and he struggled with the idea of  going to the hospice. Unfortunately, though the time had come to ask for help as his doctors were unable to get on top of his pain with conventional medicines.

After only a few days at staying at St Giles Hospice he became much more comfortable. He started to engage in conversation, his appetite was improving and best of all he is starting to smile again. It had been so long since his family had seen his smile and have a conversation with him.

The doctors, nursing staff and all of the volunteers have all been absolutely amazing. Nothing is too much trouble for Gordon & his family. Everyone is so caring & supportive.

The reason I am running the Birmingham half marathon is to say thankyou from Gordon and his family to everyone at St Giles for their help & support but also to say thankyou to everyone who has supported St Giles in the past as without previous support for this hospice Gordon wouldn't be in a position to smile again.

No one knows when cancer or any other life limiting illness will strike them or their loved ones. I'm therefore asking for your support now so that St Giles can continue to care for Gordon & others in need in the future.

We know the road ahead is still going to be difficult but we know St Giles are there for Gordon & his family.

Thankyou for taking the time for reading this story and please help to support this fantastic cause, your donation truly means so much to all of us & St Giles.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.cqq