Hello and welcome to my Just Giving page.

My name is Connor and following my 36th birthday in November 2023 I decided it was about time I did something positive to raise some vital funds for a charity that is close to the heart of myself and those closest to me. The challenge I have set is to run 8.5 marathons across Europe to raise money for The Christie on behalf of the TP23 Foundation.

My inspiration and motivation for this challenge initially came from one of my best mates Jack Prady. Since his Mum passed away of bowel cancer in April 2020, he has gone on to set up the TP23 Foundation and run an incredible 252 miles whilst raising over £30,000 in the process for The Christie who provided the best treatment and care possible when Tracy and his family needed it most.

I have always wanted to do ‘my bit’ and help contribute to Tracy’s legacy in some way but timing was just never quite right, then this challenge just seemed to come along at the perfect time. Prior to this I had never even ran 10km, so one marathon would have been tough enough, but I wanted to push myself much further than that which is where 8.5 marathons was decided upon (the equivalent of 365km in less than 365 days).

I began an 18 week training programme back in November and was just 10 weeks into this and shortly after New Year on the 10th January my own family was hit with the devastating news that my own Dad had been diagnosed with cancer. The speed which The Christie worked from the initial diagnosis to arranging full body scans, providing a prognosis, setting up appointments with various specialist consultants etc was unbelievable. In less than 14 days my dad had gone from being told he had cancer, to understanding exactly where it was with a treatment plan of radiotherapy and chemotherapy all organised.

Whilst I was inspired and motivated enough by the Prady family to start and undertake this challenge, unfortunately it has now become even more personal. When I started the training plan for this I never in my wildest dreams expected my own Dad would be the recipient to the world class treatment patients receive at The Christie before I had even ran my first marathon, but here we are. I'll also experience first hand the impact fundraising has for the care and treatment that this amazing charity is able to provide to patients and their families.

If I thought training for 8.5 marathons or even running them was going to be tough, it will be nothing compared to upcoming challenges my dad will undergo. He's got an initial 6 week treatment plan of daily radiotherapy with the added bonus of overnight stays for chemotherapy also chucked in for good measure. So when those legs are feeling tired or sore when I am miles deep into my marathons I'll know first hand there are braver and stronger people going through much worse.

The first marathon is in Barcelona on 10th March 2024, shortly followed by Manchester in April. I'll be lucky to have Jack running as many marathons with me as possible which will be a huge help and support. The full / provisional schedule is as follows, although this is subject to successful applications and injuries:

Marathon 1 - Barcelona

Marathon 2 - Manchester

Marathon 3 - Leeds

Marathon 4 - Edinburgh

Marathon 5 - Chester

Marathon 6 - Dublin

Marathon 7 - Istanbul / Athens

Marathon 8 - Valencia

Half Marathon - TBC

I will continue to push the page and challenge throughout the year and until the final marathon is completed, but if you could kindly donate (no matter how small) it would honestly be greatly appreciated not just by me but by anyone who has ever experienced the care and treatment of The Christie.

Thank you very much in advance.

Connor 🦋❤️