I’m running the Great North Run for the first time this year to mark 25 years since losing my dad to cancer.

I’m hoping to raise some money for Macmillan Cancer Support, and would be very grateful if you would sponsor me. 

Macmillan were a consistent support to my family during that really tough time, from dad’s diagnosis through to helping care for him, allowing him to stay at home as he became increasingly unwell, and then supporting us after he passed away. The work they do really makes a big difference for people living with cancer.

Unlike some of my crazy friends and colleagues, I’m not that partial to running and apart from regularly running to catch trains, the last time I had run any distance was probably cross country at school, where I was distinctly average and not that keen on pounding the flat streets of Peterborough. 

So the Great North Run in my (considerably more hilly) adopted home of the North East felt like a suitably unappealing challenge.

If all of that doesn’t convince you to part with a few pounds, the photo of me with a very questionable pony tail in my teenage years must be worth a little something?! I would really appreciate any donation - big or small.

Thanks! 

Grant