His name was Peter or Pete to many of his friends. He grew up in Thornton Heath. He always loved cars as you can see but eventually became an aero engineer through an apprenticeship at De Havilland.
He was very suave and could rock a pair of gauntlets and wellington boots on his trusty Triumph Tiger Cub motorcycle which he sold to buy my mother an engagement ring.
Dad was well liked by pretty much everyone, a great sense of humour, fantastically kind and devoted with great talent for painting and cartooning to boot. He was one of those people who could listen and give advice and support without ever appearing condescending or judgemental which is probably one of the reasons his later career change into management training was such a success.
Along with mum, dad taught me the good things to know about parenting. How to be tolerant, allow children to make mistakes, allow them to develop at their own pace but all the while constantly supporting and advising, and lord knows they had their hands full with me sometimes.
I have a sister and two fabulous brothers who are all a testament to their great parenting skills.
Above all though dad was a character, his own man, strong, kind and good.
He couldn't choose a chocolate from a box without fully reading and assessing the menu card, this could take some time as we all looked on awaiting our turn. At Christmas lunch we could often get him into hysterics commenting on this habitual lengthy chocolate selections, which in turn would lead to him shaking, tears in his eyes with the odd snort to indicate how much he was actually laughing inside.
He once came to my house for lunch when my kids were at the "Drag chairs across a tiled floor as noisily as you can" stage, he said nothing and was his usual lovely self.
However the next time he came he had a pocket full of rubber chair feet which he fixed to each and every chair, I don't think he felt anyone deserved to listen to that noise.
Sadly in August 2006 he died in the Isabelle hospice from bowel cancer only really a matter of months from initially being diagnosed, it was too late to really do anything.
He retained his dignity and humour to the end and I know had a huge impact also on the great nurses supporting him.
Bowel Cancer is the UK's 2nd biggest cancer killer claiming 50 lives everyday, but caught early is ultimately treatable. I now will have regular screening due to my family history and yeah OK the thought of having a camera up your bum isn't the most attractive idea, but there is no need for embarrassment and honest it's not as bad as it sounds.
So to the London Marathon 2016, a race I will run in memory of dad and in support of the Beating Bowel cancer charity.
The charity aims to improve bowel cancer awareness amongst both medical professionals and the general public, by providing authoritative information about the disease, symptoms and the treatment choices available. They also offer support and help to anyone affected by bowel cancer.
I have run two marathons before, both with trepidation I might add, and this one will be no different. I'm currently on a Physio induced running ban due to my previously mentioned Achilles issues and this looks set to last for at least another couple of weeks while I perform pressure release activities rolling a small hard ball into my buttocks. This coupled with various stretching and strengthening exercises will hopefully get me back on the road in time for a good training lead in.
Dad had one foray into running, he decided one day he wanted to run the St Albans Half Marathon, bought himself some shorts, shoes and a training book and that was that.
Followed the plan religiously achieved his goal and ran a HM, I will have to keep this in mind as my training re starts.
Everyone has their own reasons for running a marathon whether it be for a charity, a loved one or even just for yourself.
This one is for dad and a charity I know he would want me to support, if you can help please do.
Support me here
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