My story starts when I began college in September 2012. I didn't know anyone there and I was a bit nervous, then the teachers got us to go round the room and introduce ourselves to 5 other people. One guy came over, with a lovely smile and we both said "I'm vegetarian." and laughed. When we'd split into our smaller classes, we were sitting next to each other and got to know each other even better and we got on easily, it was a relief to know there was someone in my class who seemed genuinely nice and happy.

We started chatting as we left the building and I told him I'd have to walk to the centre to get my ride home. He said he wouldn't let me go all that way on my own and we talked the entire way (about 30 minutes nonstop). From then on we were good friends.

At the beginning of November he texted to say he might miss college for the next few days due to an operation, but not to worry. I found out which ward he was in and went to visit him (apparently I was the first one to do so, even though he'd been in a couple of days). He eventually told me the operation was to remove a tumor-like lump on his leg and they were keeping him for observation. He was back to college in a few days, but then he seemed to get worse and kept having to return to hospital.

After a while, he'd missed so much of the course, the tutors said he wouldn't be able to catch up. But he was still his bright, cheery self whenever I talked to him. We both had insomnia and would stay up late talking until one or both of us fell asleep. A couple more months and he told me the doctors had diagnosed blood cancer. I was shocked, but tried not to dwell on it as much as possible. He was forever telling me not to worry and that he'd be fine. He always remembered the small things too - asking how my interview went or did I enjoy that day out I'd been planning, no matter what his troubles were.

In December 2013, he told me he'd done it - he'd kicked cancers' behind, he was all better. I hadn't seen him since the previous November when he'd stopped coming to college, even though we talked most days and nights. He said he'd got me something for Christmas and could he come round to deliver it 'cause it was a bit heavy and he knew I had back problems.

He played Santa a couple of days before Christmas and he hadn't changed a bit, long hair still tied back, wonderful aura and bright smile greeted me at my door. He was still as cuddly as when I'd first met him (he thought hugs would cure the world!).

The present was a picnic hamper lined with tartan and filled to the brim with vegetarian Scottish food (I'm from Edinburgh), 'cos I'd told him I was having some money issues and he said he didn't want me to have to worry about it over Christmas. He also got me something I'd been wondering about buying on the first college trip we'd been on together.

Mid-January things took a turn for the worst. He said he felt really ill and was in a lot of pain. His parents took him to a hospice and about a week later, almost a month to the day he'd made my Christmas, his parents told me he'd passed away.

He was my best friend in the entire world. I've managed to cope so far and wanted to do something to help him after everything he did for me. I'm sure he'd rather I relax and eat cake, but I'd much rather be doing something productive, and this way I can help to stop others losing their best friends/fabulous family in the future. One year on and it's still really hard, and I think about him every day - I nearly phoned him after I came out of a job interview the other day! Sometimes I still can't believe he's really gone, but together we can do something to make sure no one else has to go through this!

Please sponsor my walk, no matter how little you give. It will mean the world to me (and someone else's special someone out there).

I hope no one minds me sharing this video, but if you would like to see pictures of Danny with friends and his wonderful smile, please click here: http://youtu.be/mPsjAUlRmJ4 and donate in memory of a wonderful human being!

Jasmine x

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