In 2004 my father, Stephen, was diagnosed with liver cancer. Despite being given just months to live, he bravely fought this terrible disease for over three years.

During the later stages of his illness Mount Edgecombe Hospice provided invaluable respite, help and support to him and my mother. He spent his final days at the hospice and passed away there in November 2007.

I believe that one of the reasons Dad managed to fight his cancer for so long was that he had always kept himself fit - in particular he was a very keen walker and knew the coastal path in Cornwall extremely well.

I therefore couldn’t think of a more appropriate way of honouring his memory than taking part in the Roseland August Trail race. This is a 100km run along the coast path in Cornwall and fittingly it starts and finishes a stones throw from Mount Edgecumbe Hospice. It also passes through Gorran Haven where we lived. 

The race starts at Porthpean just after midnight on 11th August and I will have to run 50km throughout the night along the hilly and rugged footpath to St Antony’s Head and then turn around and run all the way back. I’m hoping to complete the course in around 15 to 16 hours. I've done some crazy runs over the last few years but this will certainly be the biggest challenge I've taken on yet!

The aim of Cornwall Hospice Care is for all people living with a terminal illness in Cornwall to be able to access the care & support they may need at the time & in the place that is right for them & their families. They aspire to deliver the highest possible quality care & support to their patients & their families. They strive to develop & secure the resources necessary to achieve this, both now & in the future. With only 20% of their funding coming from Cornwall's NHS Commissioners, the rest is raised with the support of the people of Cornwall and beyond - thank you all.