Dear all,

Further to last year's amazing Coast2Coast event, I have agreed to take part in the 2013 Great North Run to once again raise money and awareness to this amazing charity - http://www.petespancreasproject.co.uk/.

For those of you that don't know, the GNR starts in Newcastle, taking in the iconic Tyne Bridge, then goes through Gateshead passing the famous international athletics stadium and finishes in the coastal town of South Shields (13.3 miles). 

Once again I am hoping that as many people as possible will sponsor me in doing this event, with all the money I manage to raise being donated to the Dowen Trust.

This is an extremely worthwhile cause, and any donation is greatly received and very much appreciated.

Many thanks for all your support

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Dear friends, family and colleagues,

Many of you will be aware that in November 2011, one of my best friends of over 20 years came to me with the sad news that his father Pete Dowen had suddenly been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of 62, a month into his retirement. Pete underwent major surgery on 15th December at the Freeman Hospital Newcastle to have the cancer removed, along with his spleen.

Despite this Pete still made it to his son Daniel’s wedding on the 6th of January in their hometown of Durham and has since shown remarkable strength and courage in remaining positive throughout this time. Pete’s tumour was subsequently found to be an extremely rare type of cancer called "Acinar cell" type, comprising around 1% of all pancreatic malignancies. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy, though there is little research to guide his doctors as to whether this will be beneficial.

Pete's Pancreas Project is a fundraising effort to finance some research to help people and families who are put into a similar situation to Pete and his family. "The Dowen Trust Fund" has been set up by Pete’s son Daniel and his surgeon at The Hepatobiliary Unit, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne. The project hopes that by raising money it can help other patients and their families who are also faced with this diagnosis.

In support of this, I have agreed to take part in the 136 mile Coast to Coast (Whitehaven to Tynemouth) bike ride which will take place over the weekend of the 20 July 2012.

This is a cause that I support greatly, and I am hoping that as many people as possible will sponsor me in doing so, with all the money I manage to raise being donated to the Dowen Trust.

I am sure everyone will agree that this is an extremely worthwhile cause, and any donation is greatly received and very much appreciated.

A website has also been set up providing more details on all previous and future events and some more background on Pete’s Pancreas Project. The website is linked to “twitter” and “facebook” and the intention is that this will be used as an interactive forum for family, friend’s, supporters and sponsors to propose ideas and get involved with the project.

http://www.petespancreasproject.co.uk/

I would personally like to thank everyone who sponsors me and on behalf of Pete and his family; Daniel, Ruth, James and Maureen (the Dowens), would like to thank everyone who has supported their family.