Hi everyone

I'm running the London Marathon this year to raise much needed money for Bowel Research UK who fund research into cutting edge research into bowel cancer and other bowel diseases. 

I've been raising money for them and when they were previously known as Bowel & Cancer Research for many years, having known several people with and impacted by the disease. 

Firstly, my lovely dad who passed away ten years ago from an unrelated illness and was actually cancer free when he passed. I was with him from diagnosis, throughout treatment, recovery and then the treatment when he had his stoma reversed.  Nothing prepares you for the enormity of it and I was struck back then by how young some of the other patients were - bowel cancer isn't something you get when you are older.    

Many of you will also know I've worked at TfL for the last 15 years and our former Director of News, Stuart Ross passed away from bowel cancer in 2016. TfL’s Communications Internship that I have managed since I joined TfL is named after Stuart, in memory of the commensurate comms professional that he was.  

If you can share a couple of quid towards my funding target, I would be so grateful. I know everyone is feeling the pinch at the moment and times are worrying with what's happening with energy prices, so please don't feel pressured to give or to give a certain amount. Anything you can afford would be wonderful. 

thank you so much 

VHCx