Running the Brighton marathon for Macmillan and DCCT

Hey, I'm Pete, and on Sunday 6th April, I'll be running the Brighton marathon with two close friends - Adam Hopkins and Jamie Bowle.

In doing so, we hope to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and Derby County Community Trust. These two charities have been an amazing source of help for my mum, Heather, since she was first diagnosed with primary breast cancer in 2018.

After a brief period of remission in early 2019, she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2021. For the following years, she underwent various chemotherapy treatments. This had a significant impact on her quality of life given the multiple hospital visits she had to make each month and the demanding side effects of the medications she received. Nonetheless, she persevered through life with the utmost determination and positivity.

Unfortunately, in late 2024, her cancer had spread further and was no longer responding to any other forms of treatment.

Throughout this time, the two charities we're hoping to raise funds for have provided my mum with support, advice, and comfort.

The Derby County Community Trust run active recovery sessions which support those who have experienced cancer treatment to regain confidence, fitness and strength after being affected by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Activities include stretching, fitness and stability sessions, dance fit, or coffee mornings. These sessions were a highlight of my mum's week as it was a place to escape from the realities of life and where she found a community of friends all going through similar challenging circumstances.

Macmillan Cancer Support provides a wide range of services for individuals and their families affected by cancer. When these individuals are going through challenging times, this charity freely offers emotional, practical, physical, and financial support - all of which my mum has benefitted from during her cancer journey. Macmillan continues to support mum and the family during these final stages which provides great comfort and allows her to be surrounded by her loved ones.

Any donation will be hugely appreciated and help these two charities to continue their amazing work.