Let me explain why I'm doing this...

Today, 16th March, marks the 20th anniversary of the death of my little brother Christopher at just 14 years old.  Twenty years and so much has happened, but in many ways, it feels like just yesterday.

Christopher was diagnosed with a brain tumour in the summer of 1994 and fought a brave battle for nearly two years.

I wanted to do something positive to commemorate this anniversary and after all this time, I finally feel like I can do this - but I need your help.

So, to mark this 20th anniversary, I pledge to raise £20,000 over the next year – starting today.

The money raised will be donated to CLAN, to specifically support teenagers, their siblings and wider families suffering from or who are affected by cancer – right here in the North East of Scotland.

Twenty years ago, support and services for teenagers fighting cancer and their and wider support group were not readily available. Times have changed and CLAN does a fabulous job, but more can always be done – after all being a teenager is tough enough without facing the challenge of cancer!

Over the next 12 months, I will undertake a series of fundraising initiatives, challenges and adventures, many of them yet to be decided – and nothing is beyond consideration.

I am reaching out to you: family, friends, colleagues, contacts as well as Christopher’s school and childhood friends for your help.

Will you take some time this year to hold an event, have some fun, undertake a challenge or simply donate in memory of a clever, handsome, happy, outgoing and brave, brave boy? You can help those like him fighting this horrible illness today and in the future.

It can literally be anything from a bake sale to a sky dive, fashion show to a raffle, or perhaps you could run a race or climb a mountain – anything helps!

I’d love to create a buzz around this - let me know what you’re doing, send me pictures and I’ll keep you and the North East up to date through the Christopher’s CLAN Challenge Facebook  page where you can also find out what others are doing, how much we’ve raised and more about CLAN.

To hold your own event please similarly use this just giving page, set up your own, or send money raised directly CLAN clearly marked “Christopher’s CLAN Challenge”.