In July, Sam and I have challenged ourselves to take on the Jurassic Coast Mighty Hike (marathon) to help raise money to support people living with cancer.

In 2021, my wonderful dad died of adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare and unpredictable cancer affecting the head, neck and lungs. He lived with it for over 20 years, since his diagnosis in 1997. He was really into hiking, particularly in the Lake District, Scotland, as well as long distance treks in Europe, and was away walking in the Lakes the week before he died. Since his death and whilst we've been travelling, Sam and I have caught the hiking bug too, so this seems like a fitting challenge and a brilliant way to raise money for Macmillan, whose nurses supported my dad through his various operations.

Sam's mum has also been affected by cancer after her diagnosis with stage IV skin cancer in 2013. Thanks to a revolutionary new immunotherapy drug, her tumours have since shrunk and are stable but ongoing treatment and scans are now an ever-present part of daily life. She always speaks so positively about the doctors and nurses that have supported her for the last decade that this has also inspired us to complete this marathon in order to give as many other people the chance of similar support in difficult times.

We'll be hiking 42km (!) around the Jurassic Coast and Studland, an area that's particularly special as I went camping there every year with my dad as a child. For context, the furthest we've ever walked is 31km in one day, so this will be quite a challenge!

We'd be so grateful if you could help us reach our pledge, which can pay for a Macmillan Nurse for four days. This could provide people living with cancer and their families essential medical, practical and emotional support.

There are currently 3 million people living with cancer in the UK today. It's Macmillan's goal to be there for everyone from the moment of diagnosis but they can't do this without donations from people like you.

Thank you for all of your donations, they really mean a lot.

Amy and Sam x

Dad using his steroid inhaler on a walk in the Yorkshire Dales in June 2021