My nearest and dearest,

 

   A few months ago I signed up to take part in the Nike "Run To The Beat" Half Marathon (20k) thinking it would be a load of fun to listen to live music and DJ's while sweating it out running the furthest I've ever run. I am gradually increasing my distances to hopefully run The London Marathon 2011 (if I get a place).

 

However, now I needed a relevant motivation for completing it without stopping, in a good time, and raising some cash for a useful cause on the way. Now I have a relelvant one which's close to my heart:

Extremely sadly, my Grandfather (Grace, Millie and my "Graggy") was taken from us last October 23rd by a horrible, ravaging cancer of the Upper bowel and Liver which spread like wildfire. We only had 6 weeks between the diagnosis and his death. I believe this was a quick end to his pain, in reward for living his life as a good, moralistic, hard-working man. He was a brave fighter right to the end, however I think he knew his fate when he first fell ill. 

He has left a huge gap in our lives, and has inspired all of us grandchildren, as well as many of his engineering colleagues and friends, onto greatness in their fields. He will be forever remembered in high regard, and we are thankful that we could be by his side, in his home of 50 years, up until his final breath with our Nana.

 

If you can give a little (or a lotto), especially if you know or are close to anyone who has or is currently suffering from a similar form of cancer, or even if it strikes a chord with you, please help me try and reach a target of £400 in the forthcoming 10 weeks until the run.

 

I would be forever grateful and indebted to you.

 

All my love and thanks to each and every one of you,

 

Ping X