I have two good friends battling cancer - one an elderly lady who is terminally ill, the other a widower under 50 with 4 children to look after who is now nervously awaiting test results that will determine her course of treatment. 18 months ago a close family friend lost her sister in her forties to cancer, leaving behind a husband and two young children.

Devastatingly, 1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.We have all known, will know or currently know someone who is wondering what the future will bring because of cancer, not only for themselves but for their families. We lose too many to cancer.

If adults struggle to cope with this, how much more so must children diagnosed with cancer?

But importantly, advances in science have put cures within our grasp.

So, to help raise funds and to try to bring those cures within reach I'm taking on Cancer Research's 'The Great Row' challenge.

My challenge is to row 26 miles in one go on a day between around the start of April 2017. There is a training program to follow so I'm optimistic but this is an enormous challenge for me.

To put it in context, the furthest I have rowed to date is 6000m - to complete the Challenge I will need to row 7 times that in one go, or 42,195m.

It will all be worth it if I can hit my target of £260, or £10 per mile. Please help me by donating whatever you can. Donating through this page is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with Cancer Research UK.

Thank you,
Rob