Our good friend and colleague, James Page, died from stomach cancer in November 2000.  After receiving care from a Macmillan nurse attached to Hinchingbrooke Hospital, one of his last wishes was to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

I worked with James for several years after he first left school at 17 and was lucky enough to take him on as an employee when he joined RPA in 1995.  He worked with us for five years before his death from stomach cancer in November 2000. He was an amazing character, a good friend and outstanding worker and kept us all amused with his sharp wit and cheerful nature. When visiting him in hospital he was always positive and was particularly impressed with the care and support he received from his Macmillan nurse.  He planned to raise money for the charity when he recovered.

James died at a time when his life should have been at it’s most fulfilling, at 27 years old having been married only a year and with his son just ten weeks old.  The palliative care the Macmillan nurses and their many other support professionals provide is unique and vital to cancer sufferers and their families. They also provide an enormous range of other support services

Obviously James was unable to fulfil his wish so each year since his death I have undertaken a challenge to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support on his behalf.

These challenges have so far raised nearly £63,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support thanks to the generosity of the companies and individuals who have given sponsorship.

My next challenge in April/ May 2009 is to attempt the highest trekking peak in the world, the 7045m Lhakpa Ri in Tibet including the North Col of Everest.