Many of you will know that my dad sadly passed away in 2009, aged 63, having being diagnosed with Lung Cancer around 2 ½ years earlier. Ten years on from his death I have decided to run the London Marathon in his memory raising money for the Roy Castle Lung cancer foundation.

Here is my story…

Dads diagnosis came out of nowhere after he reluctantly went to see his GP in regards a niggling pain in his shoulder. Follow up X-rays, MRI/CT scans determined his fate. In an instance the life of this non-smoker, fit, strong, successful & hard-working man was turned upside down. 

I guess being told you only have a few months to live is one thing, but having to break that news to your children must be unimaginable. The diagnosis hit us all incredibly hard as he had always been such a strong head figure in our family.

In the midst of the sadness Dad somehow found the resolve to move beyond his diagnosis and I was captivated by his mental fortitude in how he dealt with his illness. He was never going to let the cancer define him and his courage and strength was a powerful message for those around him.

Over the course of the next two years the treatment helped keep the cancer contained. Sadly this wasn't to last and he become progressively weaker by the day. Watching the cancer take over his body was the hardest thing I have ever seen. Dad took his final breath and sadly passed away at home in July 2009.  

Running the London Marathon in aid of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation Trust, makes absolute sense. The Trust aims to provide help and hope to people affected by lung cancer. Lung cancer is the UK's biggest cancer killer. It kills 36,000 people every year - more than breast, prostate and pancreatic cancer combined. It is a disease that can affect anyone.

Every penny counts and I will be extremely grateful for anything anyone wants to donate, pounds or pence!  Every step I run will be for him, for his memory, and for all of those who are on their own cancer journey.

Together we can and we will beat Cancer. From the bottom of my heart thank you.

Richard