In 2010 I found out that I have a brain tumour. I had surgery and I am well. There has been no change in the scans since I found out - despite my care team still telling me they are going to shoot radiation at me one day. Getting a brain tumour has been the best thing could happen to me - it has really put my life into perspective. I am so much more aware of how lucky and privileged I am - with the care I have received, with the friends and family I have and with where I live. I am able to make choices about what religion I choose, where I go and when, what my political leanings are.

Getting a brain tumour has put many things into perspective for me. I wonder how it would be if I hadn't been as lucky as I have been. Some people aren't - they don't have access to the basic things we take for granted. Me running the marathon is my attempt, in the best way I know how, to help - to make some sort of difference. I really hope that you want to help too.

The Tibetan situation has been important to me for a long time - especially since spending time with Tibetan people in the UK and India. What makes their story even sadder is that they have asked the world for help and not received what they need. I want to help the Tibetan's because of the following reasons -

- I want to help preserve a culture that has existed for such a long time and is in danger of being wiped out 

- because I think that anybody who is desperate and brave enough to to face death by walking across the Himalayas in order to save themselves, preserve their culture and escape extreme persecution deserves a helping hand. 

 

- because Tibetan people are setting themselves on fire to protest against their treatment at the hands of their occupiers. And I couldn't even begin to understand how bad things must be before people would do that.

- because the Tibet Relief Fund, a charity of over 50 years old, supports the Tibetan people with such basic necessities as medical supplies, education and care - the things I have taken for granted in my own country.

- because my friends at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Southern India prayed for me whilst I had surgery and because they continue to practise non-violence and wish great happiness for everyone in the world. 

- because the Tibetan Relief Fund realises that children deserve to have support and love - and they aim to give Tibetan children the best chance in the world. 

- and finally because the Tibetan's I have met have very little in terms of what I would call material wealth - incomparison to so many people in this country. And yet they would give you anything they had, they would feed you, but most of all they would give you time, smiles, love and have such a generosity of attention. I want, and I hope you do as well, to give them something.

You can read more about the fantastic work the Tibetan Relief Fund do here - http://www.tibetrelieffund.co.uk/home/about-us/ .

Ghandi said - 'be the change you want to see in the world'. I want to be the change I want to see and I really need your help. Please me reach my target in these tough times. 

I wish you every happiness and success in the future.

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