Mad dogs, Englishmen, Marathons and my Mum

My mum was recently diagnosed with bowel and liver cancer.  She is being wonderfully strong and I talk to her everyday. I feel rather helpless being in Thailand with her in the UK, but I know that my dad and brothers are giving her lots of support.  I shall go home soon for a visit before she starts her chemotherapy.

I guess that so many people scratch their heads trying to think of the things they can do to help in situations like this, rather than sitting back and drowning in worry.  I am not a Doctor, not nearly intelligent enough for that!  

One thing I do have, though, is a passion for charitable work.  So I have decided to run in the 2008 London Marathon and raise money for Cancer charities.  Anyone who is familiar with the London Marathon will know that it is wonderful fund raising event.  Every April, over 32,000 people pad through the streets of London to raise money for their preferred charities.   

It is a very English event with runners not afraid to have fun and make fools of themselves in the interests of charity.  Most of the runners are like me.  Getting old and fat (and losing their hair).  Many will dress in wild and wacky costumes, from rhinoceros to Big Ben (hard to believe but true).   Everyone enters the event with a happy heart and in the spirit of friendship and personal endeavour.  The challenge of training to run 26 miles is as nothing compared to the challenge that sufferers of disease and misfortune face every day. 

I ran the London Marathon in 19998, just before my 30th birthday and raised money for Asthma research, as my family has a history of asthma.  Next year, before I turn 40 (eek!) I am going to run for a charity that can help people like my beloved mum, who is the the most precious person in my life, and other sufferers of cancer.

 I shall keep you all updated as my training moves forward.  Starting today I am going to give up the fags and beer and get on the treadmill and run.  My mum Sheila will be my inspiration, as she has been this past 39 years. I love you mum.