There are 3 million people living with cancer in the UK.

Unfortunately, two of those are the two most important men in my life. My dad and my best friend Anthony.

My dad has been living with Melanoma for several years but last year he was rushed to hospital. Scans showed the cancer had spread throughout his body. The doctor said he needed emergency surgery, but warned there was a strong chance Dad would not survive the procedure. Hearing this was devastating; suddenly, having just minutes to tell him how much he meant to me and how much I loved him - effectively saying bye - was the hardest moment of my life. Fast forward to today, and Dad is doing really well thanks to immunotherapy treatment that a) he was lucky enough to be eligible for and b) he hasn't had too many bad side effects from. To see Dad doing so well means the world to me.

Then, earlier this year my best friend Anthony told me he had bowel cancer. This devastated me. We have been mates since childhood, growing up together, sharing a love of music, going out and having a laugh. Bowel cancer is sadly the disease which took Ant's younger sister Steph far too early. Despite this, Ant has been Ant - interested in how I'm doing, making me laugh, and just being the great friend he has always been. The physical and mental strain he has been under is unimaginable - yet his concern for those around him, particularly his partner Dom and children Kitty and Rory, is clear to see. Ant is nearing the end of his chemotherapy but the continued treatment has left him exhausted and, in his words, feeling toxic.

Ant and Dad mean the world to me. Seeing what both them have been through, and continue to go through, often leaves me feeling helpless. So this is why I've decided to take on the Brighton Half Marathon on 2nd March 2025, running as part of Team Macmillan to raise vital funds for the charity which has helped them both.

Doing a half marathon is something really out of my comfort zone, but I want to do something like this as a show of love and support to Ant and Dad - so, if you can, I would be incredibly grateful if you could make a donation for this important cause.

Thank you,

Mark