Hi all!

They say almost everyone knows someone who is affected or impacted by cancer — well, this has been true for me from a very young age. My paternal grandmother passed away from Cancer before I was born. Back then, the correct diagnosis took time, and my family struggled with the expensive treatment suggested. The world didn’t have the right affordable technology to save her. 

Then, when I was 15 years old, we got the absolutely awful news that my father was diagnosed with Cancer too. However, due to the tremendous progress in cancer research and diagnosis as well as the financial and emotional support my family received (not to mention his own steady resilience), he was able to fight it off and is healthy today.

But if we want many others to be so lucky and beat the ‘emperor of all maladies’, we need to support people through the social, emotional and practical impact cancer can have.

Today, more than 3million people are living with cancer in the UK and the WHO estimates that nearly 1 in 6 deaths globally were due to cancer last year. To fight cancer, we not only need to invest in research and treatment, but also need to support those living with cancer and their families across every stage of their cancer journey.

Given the cost of living crisis, extreme action is needed as 1 in 4 people living with cancer in the UK feel that they just ‘can’t afford life’, according to Macmillan Cancer Support. So I’ll be cycling from London to Paris in July 2024 to raise money for Macmillan, who provide vital cancer services, research, and campaign to achieve better cancer care, and support the cancer workforce as well as giving emotional, financial, and practical support to the patients and families of those suffering from the disease.

Given that I didn't even own a road bike until summer 2022, I am sure that cycling the 532km from London to Paris will definitely be a challenge. But this is personal for me (as I am sure it is for many) and I am committed to give my all to make sure I am ready between now and next July, putting in the hours come rain, snow or shine so I can partake in what will be the most physical challenge of my life so far. 

In return, I would be grateful if you could support me by donating and supporting the fantastic work that Macmillan Cancer Support do.