I was 31 years old when I found out I had bowel cancer. Having been to the Dr’s several times to get checked out for progressingly worse symptoms, I was told it was highly unlikely to be cancer as I did not smoke, I wasn’t obese and I was young.

After surgery, chemo, then surgery to reverse the stoma/bag I’d been given, and 10years of surveillance, the medical world is waking up to the fact this is no longer an ‘old persons’ disease. Bowel cancer is now projected to be the biggest killer of young adults by 2030.

During my years post surgery I have witnessed many people, including young adults, get colon cancer and sadly a good friend in the energy industry (Jamie Goh) lost her life to it several years ago. Someone who was full of life and infectious energy, who is sadly missed. The reality is, that because this was considered an ‘old persons disease’, money spent on research has been way below other cancers. It’s time to close the gap and save lives.

I’m currently heading out to try climb Everest (8,849m, 29,032ft) after many years of hard training and climbing other mountains towards this goal. I have decided to support Bowel Research UK.

Bowel Research UK is a leading medical charity dedicated to funding cutting edge research into treatments and potential cures. I’d be hugely grateful of any support you can give and to raise awareness, that if you or anyone you know develops symptoms…be proactive, it saved my life and could save yours.