About

A few months ago, I was shown this website .... http://www.hellandback.ie..... looked like a bit of craic and I'd been looking for a fitness goal so why not eh? Mud, snipers and electric shocks...right up my street* *Not up my street at all So I paid my entrance fee and thought no more....I continued to train, get a bit fitter (oh and book a holiday with the girls for the fortnight before!) and basically put it to the back of my mind. I was more concerned about the bikini body than running round the Wicklow Mountains. Until last week, when someone showed me the course map and obstacles.... http://www.hellandback.ie/Obstacles.aspx Then it got real. I've never done anything like this before. Sure, I can run a bit and lift weights but climb over 10ft walls?crawl in underground tunnels? Wade in a mud swamp? Get shot at by snipers? No. That's not really me. So now what seemed like a bit of craic is probably going to be a massive achievement for me because I AM GOING TO COMPLETE THIS IF I HAVE TO BE DRAGGED AROUND THE COURSE! (I'm even bringing my trainers on holiday... #dedicated) So I'm asking you to sponsor me...whatever you can afford. Pennies if you have it. Nothing is too little. My chosen charity is Macmillan Cancer Support. Because they are basically amazing. Despite the fact I am a Macmillan employee, here's why I'm doing it for them.... My Granda was my hero....no one ever held a candle to him and no one ever will. He was the man I went to with all my achievements and troubles. He delighted in the good and made the bad better. A kiss on the forehead from Granda was the answer to all problems. He was an amazing, kind, caring, loving (don't have enough words to describe him) man who was everything to our family. He had the most beautiful singing voice and my grandparents house was always filled with music. Then he got cancer. Lung Cancer. Inoperable. Untreatable. Terminal. The day my Granda was diagnosed, I remember my mum telling me about this wonderful Macmillan nurse who literally held them up as they were about to hit the floor. She explained everything, made sense from the madness and gave my Granda and our family the attention and compassion we needed. No question was too trivial, no phone call was unanswered, no request denied. She was an angel. 15 weeks later my Granda died and 2 and a half years later, we still remember his Nurse. It's funny how things come full circle. About 8 weeks ago, I started working for Macmillan Cancer in Northern Ireland as their Involvement Coordinator. I get to work with amazing people everyday who are an inspiration to me and make me feel proud to be part of this organisation. Recently, I ran into my Granda's nurse at a work function and I told her she had looked after my Granda. She asked his name, I told her. She said "Ah yes, Mr Webb, who loved to sing." See, that was my Granda. Truly unforgettable. I know times are hard and people don't have that much spare money about, but any size of donation will ensure that Macmillan can fund the nurses, provide support to patients and carers and truly ensure that No one has to face cancer alone. And I promise to post a pic of me covered in mud! ;-) Thanks for reading Sarah x