Howdy one and all, settle in, sit down. It's story time.

In 2011 I was unfortunately diagnosed with Hodgins Lymphoma. Caught relatively early I was given an incredibly positive prognosis and sure enough, after 6 months of Chemotherapy at Royal Marsden in Sutton, I was cancer-free. Not without some scars both mentally and internally to say the least but an experience that has helped shape me. Helped me be confident to go travel the world after Uni, and has given me some much-needed perspective in my life that things can always be worse. Now I'm keen to give back and once again give the finger to Cancer...

Now whilst many of you will know this story and experience of mine(and if you didn't you do now...) what you might not know is that every day, seven young people aged 13-24 hear the words you have cancer. They will each need specialised nursing care and support to get them through it. Teenage Cancer Trust are the only charity in the UK charity dedicated to meeting this vital need so no young person faces cancer alone.

That is why I am taking part in 3,000 Push Ups in November for Teenage Cancer Trust. That's on average 100 push-ups a day, a feat that truly terrifies me and my string cheese arms...

I have personally seen the faces of hope and despair of young ones undertaking the scourge of Cancer and I am determined to help support this where I can. During my time at the Royal Marsden undertaking my course of Chemotherapy I was offered time, care and attention from a countless number of TCT volunteers. They even managed to wangle me tickets to the Diamond Jubilee concert?!

As with all fundraising, every little helps! What does that look like? Every £25 donation provides an hour to talk. A Youth Support Coordinator provides the extra help young people need with things like studies, relationships and mental wellbeing throughout cancer treatment. £25 could pay for an hour of their time, helping them be there when they're needed most. Trust me when I say this, it is something that is needed during those long and arduous days sat in a hospital bed being pumped full of god-knows-what. That hour of someones time, gives hope and hope can be the difference in this battle.

As with everything, I'm trying to find ways to imbue my FUNdraising with FUN so please, if you can donate - put a request in?! Make me recite your favourite movie lines whilst I crack out another 100 push-ups. Most challenging/funny request wins a pint from me when all of this is done.

Love you all and any support you can offer this November will mean the world to me, and to all those facing the biggest challenge of their young lives.

Yours,

Calum x