Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am taking part in the Mourne Mountain CharityWalk Challenge on Saturday1st June 2013 to help raise much needed funds for Belfast City Hospital Cancer Centre. Anyone who knows me, will know that this will be challenging for me!!

However, I am determined to try & raise as much sponsorship as I can for this great place.

Unfortunately too many of us have been affected by cancer one way or another, whether personally or through our family or friends.

Four weeks ago my own family were devastated at the loss of my lovely uncle John at the age of 53 to stomach cancer. John was a much loved, husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and a wonderful friend to anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. 

John fought this awful diease for over three years, he never once complained or asked why me?  He accepted the hand dealt to him and carried on with life with such a strong, positive attitude.  He would say to us "if you lay down, you are beat". He never lay under his illness, he got up and got on with it, even in his darkest days, when he was told there was no more treatment he could have and he had only  a few months to live, his strength of character never waivered. 

John kept all of our family strong, positive and hopeful, his concerns were never for himself, always for the family. He was forever telling others they needed to look after themselves, not to worry about him, he was fine, that was typical of him, always worrying about others right up to his final days.

I know I am biased when I say this, but he truly was one of lifes true gentlemen, a gentle giant who would go out of his way to help anyone. He has left a huge void and emptiness in our family which will never go, to try and put into words how much he is missed would be impossible.

John was not afraid of death, he had a strong faith which was a great comfort to him and to us, I know he is resting peacefully in Heaven free from all his pain and suffering.

John received treatment at the Belfast City Hospital Cancer Unit.  This unit not only looks after the needs of patients but families too.  Their work is amazing.  Any money raised for Friends of the Cancer Centre supports patient care, clinical care, research and equipment.

We don't know how lucky we are to have such a great health service available to us all.  Units like the Cancer Centre are vital and donations go a long way in supporting the life saving work they do. 

Hopefully one day they can find a cure for this awful diease, your donation could help towards that.

I would be grateful if you could make a donation, no matter how small to help me say thank you for the wonderful care my uncle received at the Cancer Centre.

John was more than my uncle, he was my inspiration and above all else, my friend. I will love and miss him for eternity.

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.

So please dig deep and donate now.