Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am running the Yorkshire Half Marathon again on April 10th and I hope to beat last year's time. I am also taking part in the swimathon on March 18th for Sportsrelief, where I will swim 2.5km (100 lengths). I know people were very generous last year and this was very humbling, but if you can sponsor me again it is all for a fabulous cause. 

In 1989 as a 17 year old, I was diagnosed with a type of Lymphoma which affected my saliva glands. I had some glands removed and received radiotherapy at Weston Park. Although I missed lots of school, I managed to pass my A-Levels and pursued a successful career in Town Planning. I have developed an interest in endurance sports and completed numerous events over the years including a half distance iron-man triathlon in 2008.

In September 2013, aged 40, I found a small lump on my left breast. Although my auntie, mum and both sisters have all had breast cancer, it didn't occur to me this is what it could be. I had always assumed if the cancer came back it would be Lymphoma again. As it happened, the walk in centre had a display for breast cancer awareness week. This is when I first discovered breast cancer could also affect males, albeit very rarely affecting about 400 men per year.

My diagnosis was a grade 2 HE2R positive breast cancer which had spread to my lymph nodes. After a manic two weeks of organisation, it was a repeat journey with the wonderful staff of Weston Park and the Hallamshire. My treatment consisted of chemotherapy, surgery, eighteen rounds of Herceptin and ongoing medication. I was spared radiotherapy due to my previous treatment. I finally finished the Herceptin treatment in January 2015 having been told after my surgery all the cancer had gone. So for the second time in my life Weston Park had successfully treated me.

Four members of my family have been treated by Weston Park in the last ten years.  This is a never ending battle but it is one we shouldn't give up on. Our family is a good example of why trying to understand more about cancer is so important. It is better to develop a future where we can offer more preventative actions rather than rely on reactive treatments. 

It is great to be fit again and raise money for Weston Park so the hospital is able to give us the best care possible and advance our knowledge. Weston Park provides everyday support to everyone affected by cancer through the support centre and some of the treatments I received were as a result of some of the research undertaken by the hospital.

My fiance Sarah, family, friends and co-workers continue to provide tremendous support and along with Weston Park are the reason I am determined to make it to the finish.

Weston Park is a fantastic charity and is one of only four specialist cancer hospitals in the UK. I choose to support Weston Park not only for personal reasons but because they cover a wide spectrum from research to patient support. 

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.