Hi there. Thanks for taking the time to visit my latest justgiving page, hopefully by the time you leave your wallet will be slightly lighter but your smile much wider.

As most of you are aware I have decided that on April 21st despite my left knee telling me otherwise I will be running the 26.2 miles of the London Marathon. Training is well underway and despite some untimely injuries I am more determined than ever to make it across that finish line whether it be on two legs or crawling on all fours. To some it may just seem that I'm just another person running the marathon, but seriously this is such a massive challenge for me, so despite my determination I'm under no illusions as to what lies ahead.

As most of you know I lost my lovely mum Veronica Claxton to cancer in late 2008, and since then have undertaken and organised a range of activities with the sole purpose of raising funds for Macmillan Cancer support and CLIC Sargent. Ive ran the Great North Run, organised 4 golf days and stood outside Tesco's with a bucket in temperatures of minus 6 for 12 hours to raise vital much needed funds which so far stand around the £40,000 mark, And now this!

For this event I have opted to help CLIC Sargent, a charity who delivers much needed help,support and care to teenagers and children with cancer in the UK. I first became aware of their work after my son George was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder when he was 1 (he has just turned 6), at first his condition caused us all some major alarms and worry, thankfully now despite having medication 3 times a day he is a happy healthy young man and his 2 weekly visits to Addenbrookes hospital have now become 3 monthly. It was on these visits to Ward C2 at Addenbrookes a ward which specialises in Oncology treatment for young people across the south east, that me and my partner first became aware of the wonderful work a charity like CLIC Sargent do in helping children and families who without going in to details were in a considerably more precarious situation than the one facing us.

Its fair to say that a number of people we met on these visits will sadly no longer be with us, so this is for them and for all those out there still fighting and hopefully winning their battle against this awful disease. The thought of people who have not even reached their teens having to go through what they do on a daily basis is something that doesnt sit very comfortably with me, its a fact of life but that doesnt make it right. But all along the way CLIC are there for them, through rain and shine side by side.

When the parents need someone to lean on they are there.
When it all gets to much and the children need a break at one of their respite care homes they are there.
When financial support is needed they are there.

To borrow a phrase from the people themselves
"CLIC Sargent is the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, and their families. We provide clinical, practical, financial and emotional support to help them cope with cancer and get the most out of life. We are there from diagnosis onwards and aim to help the whole family deal with the impact of cancer and its treatment, life after treatment and, in some cases, bereavement"

So thats why im running for them, what I raise on this page is not going to cure cancer, nor will it save the world but i know it will help. Even if it just gives a young lad hours and hours of endless fun playing on a playstation at one of their care homes, or sends his family on a holiday or some days out thats enough for me. And hopefully you to.

I appreciate times are tough and money is tight but anything you can give will be so greatly appreciated.

As always I will be running with my dear mum at the forefront of my mind and for all those who have lost and are fighting this terrible disease.

So please dig deep people and help me make all these early morning and late night training runs worthwhile.

One last thing....

Thankyou.

Luke Claxton