Running the London Marathon
It’s that time of year again when I swap my suit for a running kit and pound the streets of London.
Running the London Marathon for Cancer Research UK has become an annual event for me — as has the creeping realisation that I haven’t done enough training, the dread of those painful 26.2 miles and then the euphoria when I finally cross the finish line!
Every year I swear I won’t do it again, but then every year I am reminded of its value — and so the cycle begins again!
Spurring me on are many things — such as my recent visit to Cancer Research UK’s headquarters, where I met their hugely impressive team. I also regularly meet people in my constituency of Barnsley and across the country whose lives have been touched by cancer in different ways — from patients to healthcare workers, colleagues to carers, families to friends.
From personal experience I know what a devastating impact it can have and so, even though this year I have done very little training, it is their stories that will keep me going through the streets of London on Sunday morning.
With more than 1000 people diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK, it’s vital that we support organisations such as Cancer Research UK. Cancer survival rates in the UK are still lagging behind other countries and this has to change.
If you value the work they do and want to contribute, you can donate online at:
https://www.justgiving.com/CRUK2016LMTeam
Every year I have been humbled by the level of support. It proves that, even in tough times, the generosity of the British people knows no bounds.
I have a number of goals on Sunday: to hopefully finish in a respectable time and, if possible, to raise a decent amount of money for Cancer Research UK. But, above all else, to be able to say one day in the future: We have won our battle against this devastating disease and I played my part in that.
I will be posting updates on my progress on Twitter and Facebook so you can track my progress. I am looking forward to it…
If you have concerns about cancer make sure you talk to your GP or you can visit CRUK’s Website at: www.cancerresearchuk.org
