We Castle Girls; Megan, Alexandra & I are running the Manchester Marathon in less than 2 months. Given the blood, sweat & tears we are putting in to training we would like to support 2 charities close to our hearts - Oxfordshire Oesophageal and Stomach Organisation and Oxfordshire Mind.

We would be really grateful for your donations, however great or small.

John (our husband & dad) was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer & it changed all our lives considerably.

A message from John:

So it’s always tough to know how you will respond to the challenge of a cancer diagnosis. In oesophageal cancer I certainly got unlucky. It’s undoubtedly one of the most brutal and invasive in terms of treatment, prognosis and the subsequent impact on quality of life. It’s been far harder than I’d imagined ; it has been truly life changing for both myself and everyone around me.

And whilst the larger national charitable organisations do a fantastic job in providing awareness and support for all people affected by cancer, the more practical impact of specialised local charities is absolutely key. As someone who spent a fair few weeks at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, I saw first hand the wonderful role that OOSO (Oxford Oesophageal and Stomach Organisation) hold in practically supporting patients with advanced oesophageal disease. And leaving hospital is then just the first step. It is never a quick fix - recovery is measured in years not months. But the amazing community they have built to share experiences, provide crucial equipment and get patients living the best lives possible has been absolutely key.

And whilst the physical aspect of illness always gets the initial focus, the importance of mental health in navigating, accepting and then embracing a new world of uncertainty has never been more important. I have been fortunate enough to find strategies to manage sound mental health throughout, but at times it can be testing in the extreme. I recognise only too well how fine a line exists between being OK and not OK. Oxfordshire Mind play a fantastic role in helping patients to maintain good mental health in the toughest of overall circumstances. Any donations will help to fund a specific project that focus’ on breaking down stigma and enables us to be open and honest about who and how we are.