In January 2023, we lost my dad, Peter, to mesothelioma.

Dad was a keen cyclist and had been riding bikes for his whole life. Even in the months before he was diagnosed, he was still cycling around 100 miles a week. He was an electrician by trade, and it is thought that his exposure to asbestos happened through his work around 30 years earlier.

Mesothelioma is a devastating disease, and seeing someone you love go through it is incredibly difficult. It was an incredibly tough time for Dad, my mum Martine and our whole family.

One of the organisations that made a real difference to us during that time was HASAG. They provided my parents with practical help, advice and, importantly, support from people who understood what they were going through. Having someone there to turn to during such a difficult period meant a huge amount to Dad and Mum.

I wanted to do something in Dad's memory to help HASAG continue that support for other families.

So, I'm running the Royal Parks Half Marathon to raise money for HASAG.

I'm a keen but very recreational runner, and I've never taken on a structured event like a half marathon before. Dad would probably have had a few words to say about my running compared with his cycling — 100 miles a week on a bike was very much his territory!

Taking on 13.1 miles will be a challenge, but having Dad and HASAG as my motivation makes it one I'm proud to take on.

I'm running for Dad, for Mum, and for all the families who find themselves facing the same devastating diagnosis that we did.

Every donation, however big or small, will help HASAG continue to provide support to people affected by asbestos-related diseases. If you can spare anything at all, I'd be incredibly grateful. And if you can't donate, sharing this page would mean a lot too.

I'll be thinking of Dad every step of the way.

Thank you for supporting me, and for helping HASAG be there for families when they need it most.