Chop the Sock for Macmillan Cancer Support

A short time ago I received the some unfortunate news that stopped me in my tracks. I’ve been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. There’s a fair degree of irony in the diagnosis. This type of cancer most frequently

affects smokers and / or heavy drinkers.

Leading a sedentary lifestyle also increases your chances. As someone who has never smoked, barely touches a drop and finds it difficult to sit still for more than 2 minutes, I’m hardly the perfect fit. Further irony - all of my 13 marathons have been run as part of Team Macmillan and supported by many of you, together we’ve raised over £30K for this amazing charity. Little did I expect find myself on Macmillan’s doorstep needing their care. But, that’s the way the cookie has crumbled. Because I have a fairly decent level of fitness I have at least been able to enter treatment quickly. I have already completed my first cycle of chemotherapy and I’m about to launch into the second. Radiotherapy awaits furher down the line but at least I’m engaged in battle and fighting. The early days post-diagnosis were much, much harder. At that stage everything is unknown. Breaking the news to family – whether it’s children or parents is possibly the hardest thing.

Very early-on I decided that I wanted something positive to come from this experience. The treatment I’m having is going to see me losing my hair so it’s time to: “CHOP THE SOCK”. With or without hair I’m never going to look pretty so, it’s all coming off! In doing so I’m hoping to raise a few more pounds for my adopted charity Macmillan Cancer Support. Nicola Tyler, both a lifelong friend and a local legend in Herefordshire's running community is also the talent behind "Hairy Poppins" hairdessers. Nicola has kindly offered to Chop the Sock.

I now know, like never before, just how valuable Macmillan’s support is – not only for the patient but also for family and friends. It’s too easy to forget just how tough something like is for loved ones. You’re engaged in the fight whilst they can only stand pitch side, watching and hoping. I’ll share ‘before’, ‘during’ and ‘after’ shots as evidence but a live U-Tube stream is not on the cards! If you are able to spare anything and make a donation, I’d be so, so grateful. Anything and everything raised will make a positive difference to someone who will get the same news that I received a few weeks ago.

Less than 48hrs to go before the Chop. It already a case a going, going...........