This may well shock a lot of people, as I've always loved good food and having a good time, but perhaps neglected my physical health.

That changed earlier this year and I now feel physically and mentally better than I have in years, and finally able to do something meaningful for my late sister.

People who I've been close to both personally and professionally over the years will know that in 2017, we lost my beloved sister and youngest sibling to diffuse gastric cancer at just 30 years old, after five years of the condition going undiagnosed due to the "diffuse" nature of it.

She left two young children behind who have been immeasurably impacted by the loss of their mother, and a hole in our lives that can never be filled.

Less than a year later, we lost my Aunt, who was also a mother, as well as a sister and daughter. This was to the same condition, at just 54 years old, and at this point doctors suspected it to be hereditary in nature.

Genetic testing confirmed this to be a genetic mutation of the CDH1 gene, leading to a high risk of developing gastric cancer at an early age, as well as increased risk of lobular breast cancer in female family members testing positive for the gene mutation.

The only preventative treatment for this currently is a full gastrectomy, as screening methods are difficult given the nature of the condition. This led to four more family members having to undergo surgery, which while providing protection from developing the condition, has had life changing effects.

Further to this, there are a number of children in the family who will be given the choice to be tested or not at 18 years old, and may well have to face a very difficult decision that will impact their future one way or another.

The family has also been impacted by other forms of cancer, and the Macmillan nurses were a godsend at what were very difficult times and I have chosen to support this charity to help them continue to provide what is fantastic support at the saddest of times.

Thank you for reading, and for your support

Matt