Marching for Maggie’s

Taking on Hadrian’s Wall for Maggie’s: A Journey of Hope

This April, I’ll be taking on the challenge of a lifetime to give back to Maggies, a charity that has been a lifeline for me and my family as I’ve faced stage 4 metastatic melanoma. Alongside my brother and six incredible friends, we’ll be trekking the 84 miles of Hadrian’s Wall in just four days. This journey is not just a test of endurance but a heartfelt mission to raise vital funds for Maggie’s, ensuring they can continue to provide the same life-changing support to others that they’ve given me. Despite still managing the effects of my treatment, I’m determined to complete this challenge and make a difference. Every step we take is for hope, resilience, and the amazing work Maggie’s does.

Maggies is a charity that has had a profound impact on my life as someone living with cancer. On 12th March 2023, just 10 months after I got married, I turned to Maggie’s for support as I faced stage 4 metastatic melanoma, a form of skin cancer. With a survival rate of just 15% beyond five years, the diagnosis was devastating, and the journey has been incredibly challenging. Over the past two years, I’ve undergone intensive immunotherapy, had major surgery to remove all the lymph nodes under my right arm, and battled sepsis twice—one of which nearly killed me due to infections. Throughout this time, Maggie’s became a beacon of hope, offering care, guidance, and strength when I needed it most.

Maggie’s provided me with a lifeline, offering practical and emotional support that enabled me to cope with my diagnosis and focus on what mattered most. Their resources and care gave me the tools to maintain a positive outlook and the strength to plan for the future. This support has been invaluable, not only for me but also for my family. As a father of three children, I’ve relied on Maggie’s to help me balance my responsibilities as a parent while navigating my treatment. Their compassion and expertise have been instrumental in helping me through this journey.

To give back to this incredible organisation, I, along with my amazing brother and six incredible friends who have stood by me every step of the way, will be conquering Hadrian’s Wall from the 18th of April, just seven months after my last treatment. Although I’m still managing the side effects of my therapy, I’m determined to take on this challenge. Through wind, rain, and whatever else the weather might throw our way, we’ll complete this journey in four days to raise vital funds for Maggie’s. Together, we hope to ensure that Maggie’s remains a source of hope, compassion, and resilience for everyone who needs it, just as it has been for me.