Hever Castle Triathlon for Bowel Cancer UK

I’m going to be completing the Hever Castle Triathlon in 2024, in support of Bowel Cancer UK.

In January of 2023, my Dad was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer. My Mum, Dad and Sister all popped over to my house on Sunday 29th, for what I thought would be a quick hello and a standard mum inspection to make sure I was keeping the house clean and tidy, but it turned out to be the worst day of my life.

I remember the feeling of being told what my Dad had, like it was yesterday. Something, I wouldn’t wish anyone to have to go through.

Dad was fortunate they’d moved forward the age of having the NHS Bowel Cancer screening from 60 to 56. He was sent the test in December 2022 and sent the test back the first week of January 2023.

1/3 of people don’t complete or return the tests, which takes 5 minutes to do and can be key to preserving lives - if I could urge you to do anything, please complete any tests your sent regarding your health!!!!

Fortunately, the NHS and Medical Professionals at both Pembury Hospital and Maidstone Hospital were so efficient and transparent, everything happened so quickly and 3 weeks after finding out the awful news, Dad was in hospital having surgery to remove the cancer from his bowel. After a couple of months recovering from successful surgery, from the middle of April he underwent 6 months of chemo, to prevent reoccurrence.

He completed the chemo on 22nd September and has come out of it the other side, which I’m so, so grateful for. The NHS have been amazing, I can’t thank them enough for everything they’ve done to support my Dad and everything they will do over the next 5 years of his monitoring programme.

Anyone that knows me, knows that I’m practically made of glass. So completing a triathlon is going to not only be a great sense of achievement (providing no hamstring tears), but is going to give me purpose to raise as much as possible to support Bowel Cancer UK.

I’d appreciate as much support as possible and if anyone wants to join me/cheer me on, on the day - then feel free!!