Dad was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2020.

There would never be a good time to be told that news, but to find out in the midst of a pandemic when hospitals were under enormous strain and the country was in and out of lockdown was particularly worrying.

Despite all the extra pressures in the NHS, Dad always reassured us he was getting great care and 'moving through the system'. After a colostomy procedure in 2021 that was by all accounts successful, he was hopeful it would be reversed. While the conditions weren't ever suitable for a reversal, he adapted to life with a stoma and continued to make the most of every day and kept active by walking and cycling around Harrogate.

He was always stoic, bravely facing the challenges living with cancer brought and although he underwent various treatments to reduce the effect of the cancer, he made a conscious choice not to receive chemotherapy.

In September 2024 it was clear his health was deteriorating—rapidly.

After a short stay in Harrogate Hospital he was granted a place at Saint Michael's where he was able to get the care and support he needed in his final weeks. He died 4 weeks later on 15th December at exactly 12 noon. As it happened, this was the same day the hospice held their annual Christmas Tree service with carols and songs being sung right outside his bedroom window a few hours later. It turned out to be quite the experience.

The team at Saint Michael's were second to none with their care and support for us as a family and in January, I noticed they had places allocated for the Great North Run.

Now I've been running for almost 3 years, but never having run a marathon or even joined a running event, I felt this was my opportunity to set myself a challenge and give something back to those who made life more comfortable for Dad.

Hospices up and down the country are almost entirely self-funded, yet they provide a highly personal level of care in circumstances that are emotionally charged and bring difficulties that extend well beyond their patients. Without the support from donations, events and legacies, hospices would simply not be able to provide the care they give to patients and their families at what can be the hardest time of their lives.

I hope the donations raised by taking part in the Great North Run will allow another family to benefit from the care and support they need for their loved ones and makes a positive difference for everyone at a difficult time.

Thank you for your support. For more updates follow me on the journey to the Toon on Instagram @aarmitage (personal) and @adigital_andrew (work).