An Inspiring Day

This isn't really a photography blog today but I did feel the need to write about my running the Bupa Great North Run last Sunday. However, it was inspired by photography. In April this year I was honoured to be published in Ag Magazine and yet soon after I heard the very sad news that Chris Dickie, the editor and publisher had died from pancreatic cancer. I never knew Chris personally but through our emails concerning the publication I found him to be warm, encouraging and supportive and this news made me feel incredibly sad. Chris isn't the only person I have known to have died from pancreatic cancer, and the more people I talk to about this disease the more I hear how they have been touched by it in one way or another. So I decided to get in touch with the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund and see if I could run for them. I have never done anything like this in my life before and when they said 'yes' I kind of panicked if I am honest.

Anyway, I did it. It was a very emotional experience. If you ever feel disheartened about the human race then go along to something like this. Several times I felt as if I could burst into tears. Everywhere I looked there were people running 13 miles for a charity or for someone. I remember seeing a young girl of around 18 who was running for her mum who had died of cancer .. she was dancing/running past the steel band in celebration of her mum's life and love .. I wanted to cry again. I never for one moment felt that what I was doing was altruistic in any sense. I wanted to do something, it makes me feel good about myself. Anyone who knows me knows I will always say it is good Karma and it is. This is just a little bit of me saying thanks to the world and thanks to people like Chris Dickie. And while I am here, thanks to everyone who helps me in my photography, who inspire me and supports me and in life too .. particularly my family.

I also have a just giving page for the Pancreatic Cancer Trust (Thanks Colin:)