Updated on May 17th 2011 at 1:31 AM from the JustGiving API

Thanks for all the sponsorship so far - looks like I'm gonna have to go ahead with it after all! Please encourage anyone who hasn't sponsored to put anything they can this direction! Thanks!

First of all, thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page and giving me your initial support in this crazy, crazy decision to run the Edinburgh marathon!

Why am I running for the ICR?

According to statistics, 1 in 3 people suffer some form of cancer during their life.

However, inside the first 23 yrs of my life, that statistic became 2 out of my immediate family of 4 - my dad and I both developing the dreaded "C".

I'm now fully recovered, though my dad hasn't, and never will - but it's 16yrs and counting.  But it's work carried out by wonderful charities like the ICR that allows more and more people to survive.  I developed cancer in the weeks/months before I was due to run the London marathon back in 2000 - so I think after 11 years clear, I really should get round to taking part in this level of challenge!

 

What is the ICR?

 Founded in 1909, The Institute of Cancer Research is the top research organisation in Europe and the only one directly involved in all stages of cancer research, from genetics through to drug development. The ICR’s unique partnership with The Royal Marsden Hospital forms Europe's largest cancer research centre and ensures that discoveries made in the ICR’s laboratories are swiftly translated into treatment and care for those affected by cancer. 

 

The ICR has been responsible for some of the greatest achievements in the history of cancer research and is among the most cost effective cancer research organisations in the world, with over 90% of it's total income going directly into it's vital work. 

ICR's vision:

Is that people may live their lives free from the fear of cancer as a life threatening disease.

ICR's mission:

Is to relieve human suffering by pursuing excellence in the fight against cancer through:

- Research into the causes, prevention, diagnosis and methods of treatment of cancer

- Education and advanced training of medical and scientific staff

- Treatment and care of the highest quality for cancer patients

- Attraction and development of resources to the optimum effect

 

Why is your donation to the ICR so important?

To safeguard our position and to provide for our sustainable expansion we aim to increase it's fundraising income to £15 million per annum by 2020 mainly through it's long-term legacy fundraising, major gifts and the  ‘Everyman action against male cancers’ campaign.

What will your donation allow ICR to do?

£10 - Buys one pair of safety glasses or 500 polypropylene microtubes

£20 - Buys 50 disposable syringes

£25 - Provides storage of four tumour samples

£100 - Enables ICR to store 6,000 blood samples

Now, more than ever, your gift to the ICR will go further. Any gift you make today (and any up to 31 July 2011) will be worth a third more thanks to the Government’s Matched Funding Scheme for Higher Education. With your generosity the ICR hope to make the most of this exciting opportunity. If you are a UK tax-payer the Gift Aid claimed on your gift will also be matched so a gift of £100 would become £170, at no extra cost to you!

Some of you will know about my running challenges in the past - some of you will be surprised that I am a runner as I look like I'm built for comfort not speed - but all of you should appreciate that this is going to be one heck of a challenge for me.

So please dig deep and donate now.