In 2011, my mate, Achraf, and I took part in Movember for the first time. The following year, I was diagnosed with cancer. Thankfully, I kicked its arse.
I support Movember because they do awesome work. They have an amazing team and bring new life and energy to the campaign every year.
" It was amazing and I was so proud of myself. "
Conscious that I was asking my friends, family and colleagues for their support year after year, I wanted to switch it up. I’d never been a runner, but I decided to take on Movember’s Move challenge. I’ll be honest, I was sceptical about it. Because... a) I don’t do exercise, and b) I don’t do exercise.
In 2019, I signed up to the Movember 10k run in Greenwich Park. People asked me what run time I was hoping for. My target was just to finish! Long story short, I nailed it. With a time of bang on 60mins.
In 2022, I received an email regarding the Movember Yorkshire Three Peak Challenge. The early-bird deal looked too good to be true, so I signed up straight away.
I sent the event email around my office, and five colleagues joined me. Even my 19-year-old son signed up!
If you’re thinking about doing it, don’t think. Do it. It was the most professional and best organised charity event I have EVER attended.
From the starter information pack to the Zoom calls where we got to meet the team and fellow participants to the challenge itself —The support, refreshments and post-event celebratory meal were top notch. And the team of walkers... well we bloody smashed it. Some members of our team were so keen to smash it, they ran the last few miles! (Not me).
Leading up to the event, I’d had a tough few years. I was going through a separation from my partner of 20 years. I’d moved house a few times. All whilst trying to successfully navigate co-parenting our four kids.
The Movember Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge, happened to be the last weekend before my son went to university. Doing the challenge was not only one of the proudest achievements of my life, it also brought my son and I closer together. So much so that he is now a fully-fledged Mo Bro.
Zac was born in 2003, the same year Movember began. I first took part in Movember 2011, the same year my youngest daughter was born.
I look forward to Movember being part of the next chapter in my life.
Ready to take on a challenge? The Yorkshire Three Peaks are waiting.