At the beginning of 2026, our family life was completely normal.

Both of our children were doing what they loved. Our son, Guy, was playing football and had just reached his 50th goal for Perry Street in three seasons. Our daughter was enjoying life playing for Ipswich Town and Perry Street. We were simply a normal family, living a normal life, never imagining that within weeks everything would change.

In March 2026, Guy picked up what we thought was a football injury during training. Like any parent would, we took him to hospital to get it checked out.

After various tests and scans, we were referred to specialists. The doctors were concerned that this wasn’t a fractured fibula as initially thought, but something much more serious.

A tumour.

Further investigations confirmed the devastating news we could never have imagined hearing about our 13-year-old son:

Guy had Ewing sarcoma — a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

It was something we’d never heard of, never encountered and certainly never imagined would become part of our lives.

By the beginning of April, cancer had entered our family.

And our lives changed forever.

The fight begins

Chemotherapy started, and initially, the first couple of months went remarkably well. But the treatment was taking an enormous toll on Guy’s body.

Then came one of the most terrifying moments of our lives.

Guy suffered seizures and collapsed on our living room floor at home. His dad had to perform CPR and resuscitate his own son before the paramedics arrived.

It is something no parent should ever have to experience.

Just when we thought we had reached the darkest point of our journey, we received more devastating news.

During cycle nine, we were told that the cancer had spread into the surrounding tissue and that Guy would need to have his lower leg amputated.

For a 13-year-old boy who loved football and sport, this was an unimaginable blow.

Yet throughout everything, Guy remained incredibly positive.

His attitude was simple:

Beat the cancer. Get back on his feet.

Whether that meant walking on his own foot or eventually using a carbon prosthetic, Guy was determined that this would not define him.

The operation was successful, but the battle didn’t end there.

Guy suffered horrendous phantom limb pain — pain so severe that it was difficult to comprehend, let alone explain. We spent many long days in hospital while the incredible medical teams worked to get his pain under control and helped him begin to understand and adapt to life without his leg.

Eventually, we were able to return home and continue his treatment.

There were still three cycles of chemotherapy to go.

The support around us

This journey has been physically exhausting, mentally draining and emotionally heartbreaking.

But throughout it all, we have been overwhelmed by the love, kindness and support surrounding our family.

And one organisation in particular has been there for us:

Young Lives vs Cancer.

Their support for families going through childhood and young people’s cancer has been nothing short of incredible. They understand that cancer doesn’t just affect the child — it affects the whole family.

That is why I have decided to take on the London Marathon 2027 and raise as much money as possible for Young Lives vs Cancer.

This isn’t just a marathon for me.

It’s personal.

In June, I challenged myself to run 5K every single day and, thanks to the incredible generosity of family, friends and supporters, we raised £7,000.

Now I’m taking on a much bigger challenge.

The London Marathon.

I want to beat that £7,000 and raise as much as I possibly can to help Young Lives vs Cancer continue supporting families like ours — families who suddenly find themselves facing something they never imagined possible.

Our story began with a football injury.

It became a fight for our son’s life.

And now, we want to try to turn something desperately sad into something positive.

Every donation, no matter how big or small, will mean the world to us. Every pound will help support children and families facing cancer and help ensure that they don’t have to face it alone.

Please help me run every mile for Guy, for our family, and for every young person and family fighting cancer.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support. ❤️

Let’s turn a desperately sad story into a positive ending.