At the age of 79 in 2019 I cycled 860 miles from Lands End to John O’Groats to raise £25,000 to build classrooms for a school in Ghana. Six months after my return it was found that I needed a Pacemaker. Some months later it was found that the mitral valve in my heart was leaking & urgently needed replacement. After the op & some convalescence I got back to fitness training. After some months I suffered a series of TGAs (Trans Global Amnesia). This problem has been controlled with drugs. Then came Covid! All training was done at home. Once Covid was over I started 5K park runs but soon I developed breathing problems and anaemia. It was found that I had colon cancer. An urgent operation was performed (2.5 feet of colon removed) & so far the cancer is totally gone. However, 4 months later it was found that I had a brain tumour. Thanks to the speedy NHS I was treated at Nottingham University Hospital with specialist radiography & all MRIs so far show the cancer to be slowly shrinking.

It hasn’t stopped there. Since then I have had a blood clot in the right lung, Bakers Cyst, sepsis, cellulitis, pneumonia, gout & cataracts (one eye has now been operated on). The brain tumour caused partial paralysis down the right side. I am now out of the wheel chair thanks to the wonderful help and encouragement of Taher at NeuroAbility & can walk a little with a frame. I will participate in the Nottingham Half Marathon on the 27th September 2026.

I have run 27 full marathons, 56 half marathons & 5 Tough Guy challenges since the age of 47. I am now 85 & still fighting. Please PLEASE help me raise much needed funds for Brain Tumour Research. I will be pushed 12 miles in a wheel chair which has been donated by East Midlands Mobility & I will then WALK the last 1.2 miles to the finish line carrying my 2012 Olympic Torch.