Hi Everyone,

I'm sure most of you know my Pappy. You probably know him as Noddy or Big John, Jonny five bellies (family joke) Or the big sh*t stirrer next door (for our lovely neighbours who actually brought him a wooden spoon back from Italy; just to make a point!)

He was my best friend and I was his "Princess" maybe not so much in the traditional sense as I couldn't be further from classy, elegant and demure, and good table manners are still a long way off! (Sorry Paps)

We were thick as thieves when I was growing up, I adored my Pappy and clung onto his every word. Unbeknown to me at such a young age, my Pappy already suffered his fair share of adversity and was currently battling cancer. Everything still is a pretty much a blur to me, in between the amazing memories there are hard times, the blurry times, the things I didn't see. He'd battled through many different types of cancers, countless operations, he had his voice box removed, jugular vein removed, had chemo and radiotherapies. After the voice box removal he then had to learn how to talk all over again using a valve in his neck.

He was always at the door before the Ward opened at the Beatson for his chemo because he didn't want to miss work, always up and dressed, maintained his hair (he was also a bit vain!) He was such a strong willed man and a fighter.  He opted to go onto a trial drug because "it'll get them closer to a treatment or a cure for the future" still thinking of others despite the horrific side effects from the treatment.

He really was one in a million. He studied Counselling and specifically Drug and Alcohol counselling throughout his treatments and helped many people through their struggles over the years. He was a true gentleman, buying my gran a single red rose on a Friday night and singing down the phone to her when he was up North doing a drop. H He was always opening the car door for me, telling me what to expect from my future suitors and never to settle for anything less than I deserve. He taught me so many valuable life lessons about diversity, taught me not to judge people based on my first impressions among other things.

St Andrews Hospice's support was invaluable to my family and I during his cancer, treatment and recurrences and I'll never be able to repay them but I'm going to try my best to help them with their fundraising.

I know it's a bit cliché to say that you don't know what you've got till it's gone - but you don't. I sit here 8 years, almost 9 after his passing, missing him more than ever and longing for my best friend back. I know that will never happen but in my fundraising for St Andrews Hospice I hope to give some other little girl or boy a bit longer with their loved one, be it their Mum, Dad or Grandparent or extended family.

I plan to do the Sky Dive in the Summer time. However, I have a 3 stone weight loss target before I do the sky dive (one of my goals this year too!) I will keep everyone updated on this page and will let you all know a date when it is booked for.

I will also be doing some interim fundraising. I hope to hold a garden party for family and friends in the summer time (maybe one of Noddy's famous garage parties). I will also be doing the Ladies Moonlight walk in June for St Andrews Hospice.

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