Hello and thank you for visiting this page.

My name is Ian. I am Cumbrian – born and bred. I'm a husband, a father, an avid mountain lover, a theoretical physicist - and more !! I am also living with incurable cancer.

Cancer will directly affect 1 in 2 of us at some point – and touch almost everyone in some way. It can be lonely and frightening experience. No cancer is easy - support is crucial. Cancer is 24/7 and it never really leaves you. It occupies your life. Outside the doors of our wonderful NHS, long-term support is fragmentary, reliant on volunteers and often unsustainable. This is certainly my experience. However, the help which is available is invaluable and has certainly enhanced my life.

Since my diagnosis, I have become an active local campaigner for improved cancer support. I am lucky enough to still be physically able - despite major surgery and chemotherapy. So, I have decided to attempt a ‘farewell’ round of the Wainwrights whilst that is still a possibility with the aim of raising money towards local, sustainable non-clinical support.

Doing the Wainwrights involves climbing 214 hills and mountains – representing the very best of the beauty that is Cumbria’s Lake District. I have called my project Terminal Hillness. I would love you to join me on this homage to the hills. You can follow my progress on Instagram (www.instagram.com/terminalhillness). A Facebook page will appear soon. I also hope that you will support it more tangibly on this Just Giving page

I have set a target of £21,400. I'm aware that this is a big ask. But it's only £100 per Wainwright and importantly, it will provide the basis of cancer support for around a year.

The immediate aim is to bring improved sustainable wrap-around care to North Cumbria as a whole. The money raised will go towards increased outreach and provision of general support. My dream is to sow the seeds for a permanent drop-in centre - A Maggie’s for Cumbria

Maggie’s Centres are warm and welcoming places built near NHS hospitals that provide the care that people with cancer (and their families) need – all free of charge. The support can be emotional, psychological, advice on treatment and financial matters – or simply a cup of tea, companionship, a chat with those who understand, and somewhere beautiful and peaceful to sit.

There are many important issues in cancer care that require action and change. They range from sustainable non-clinical support for everyone, improved provision by the hospice sector, and targeted research to provide both earlier diagnosis and more effective personalised treatment programmes. I wish that I could solve it all – for everyone, everywhere. Obviously, I can’t – but I intend to do what I can whilst I can.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.