Ram and myself are ex work colleagues and have known each other for 35 years. I am marginally older than Ram .... ahem!

In early 2023 my wife Pauline was diagnosed with lung cancer and became a patient at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Liverpool and its satellite hospitals & clinics.

Within months Ram's partner, Denise Burgess, became another victim to this awful disease.

Throughout the summer and edging into autumn of 2023 Pauline and Denise fought bravely and with great dignity to overcome the disease.but, alas, they both succumbed to the disease and passed within a few months of each other.

Two weeks after Pauline passed I made my first ever abseil from the roof of Clatterbridge, just one of many participants that weekend, with our determination to continue the fight against cancer, to raise funds, and to help make a difference to the lives of those who still suffer from cancer, and their family members who also have their own battles and stress at such times.

This year's abseil on Sunday 14th September 2025 has provided an opportunity for Ram and myself to not only support each other, but also to help engage in fundraising for the benefit of others. We are very aware that there are people we know, such as ex-work colleagues, friends and relatives (& many we will never know), who have been Clatterbridge patients and successfully won their individual battles, some are still patients, and there will be those who unfortunately will become future patients. It is a continual process. That is why we must do as much as possible to contribute to the cause.

Anyway, with a combined age of over 130 we'll be leaping off the roof of Clatterbridge into the great wide open - we'll biff it no problem!

Times are always potentially hard, but if you can spare a few pennies and donation, no matter how small, will be appreciated. Ta!!!