My Grandpa was one of the strongest and most resilient people in my family. Even though I never had the chance to meet him, his story has shaped me deeply. He went from feeling “not quite right” to being diagnosed with a tumour within a week. He was told he had a year to live, but through sheer determination and the help of ongoing research, he fought for almost five years.

Those years were incredibly tough for my family. They spent countless hours travelling to hospitals, dealing with tests, infections, and constant uncertainty. He went through 65 rounds of chemotherapy and around 10 radiotherapies, yet he stayed positive and strong throughout it all. His resilience gave my family precious extra time. Time they wouldn’t have had without advances in treatment and the research that made them possible.

Even though I never met him, his fight is something I’ve grown up hearing about. It’s a reminder of how quickly life can change, and how vital research is for giving families more time and more hope.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the hardest cancers to detect and treat and is the deadliest with only a shocking 12% of patients surviving 5 years after diagnosis. That’s why I’m supporting the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund. They fund crucial research into pancreatic cancer, work to improve early diagnosis, and support families going through the same shock and stress mine once faced. Their work is the reason people like my Grandpa get more time, and the reason future families might one day face a different outcome.

That is why I’ll be completing a one‑day, non‑stop 120km hike from Portsmouth to Reading. A distance that will push me physically and mentally in ways I’ve never experienced before. No overnight rest. No long breaks. Just continuous movement for approximately 28 hours.

It’s my way of honouring someone who was so loved, admired and respected throughout his life. Whose strength continues to inspire me, supporting the research that gave my family every extra day with him.

If you’re able to donate, thank you. Your support genuinely makes a huge difference to the future of pancreatic cancer treatment.