This is a tricky post to write to you lot because basically I am going on a walk I've wanted to do for most of my life, you all probably wish you were going too, and yet I'm going to ask you to give some money to charity.
If you were on the forum 4 years ago then, as I could talk of nothing else, you will know that my son Robert was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer and he, aged 18, got a variant which had only ever occurred in babies. He had a scary 18 months of very high dose chemotherapy, major surgery, radiotherapy and even more chemo, (you never want to hear a surgeon refer to a tumor as 'the size of a marrow'). He was eventually pronounced cancer free and now just has regular scans to make sure he is still OK.
This summer he will graduate from university and, having been supported by them through his illness, is raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
He, with me tagging along, is planning to walk the Pennine Way. If this was not the Walking Forum then I would tell you what a tough 268 miles it will be. While that may be true you know that it is also one of great long distance walks through stunning scenery and that I could not be more excited about walking it. We had it all planned for the year he was ill and, at the time as I cancelled all the accommodation, I thought that we would never walk it together.
Despite the fact that I'm going to have a wonderful time I am still going to try to get you to part with your cash. Not because of what we are doing but because of the great work that the Teenage Cancer Trust does, I hope that none of you ever need to use their services.
If you can support them donations can be made at Justgiving, link below.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/robertpwI know we all have commitments and calls on our finanaces but if you could possibly donate the price of a pint, or even a whole round if you are feeling generous, it would be much appreciated.
Obviously should we ever meet I will get the drinks in.