• 26th February 2015 - leave Overton Hill, Nr Avebury, Wilts

• One 47-year old man
• One 10-year old border collie
• One tent
• 4 days
• 87 miles
• £1000

• 1st March 2015 - arrive Ivinghoe Beacon, Nr Tring, Bucks

Those are the numbers that matter this year.

Below are the numbers that mattered last year.

• 11th March 2014 - diagnosis of advanced, aggressive breast cancer

• 6 sessions of FEC-T Chemotherapy
• 1 Mastectomy
• 15 sessions of Radiotherapy
• At least 16 other drugs to alleviate the side-effects of the above
• 3 trips to A&E
• 2 admittals

• 17th December 2014 - final radiotherapy

OK, so treatment is on-going, but the cancer has been removed, and that's what last year's hellish 9 months was all about.

My wife Marny received tremendous care during that time from the staff of the Berkshire Cancer Centre in Reading.  They really couldn't have done more.  Everyone was fantastic, from the surgeon and oncologists, to breast care nurses, the hair loss advisor, the volunteer receptionists, the chemo nurses, the radiologists, even Sue making endless mugs of tea and coffee in the King Edward ward.

It turned out that there is so much more to treating cancer than the medical side of it.  Nurses on call to give advice at any time.  A consultant oncologist who will stop and chat, and rearranged his day to address Marny's problems. Specialist chemo nurses for whom being surrounded by cancer patients all day seems to be a joy.  And they give so much peace and joy in return to those same patients.  I will never forget how wonderful they all were, and to make sure other people receive that service in their hour of need, I want to raise as much money as possible for the centre.

Please give generously, at www.justgiving.com/1man1dog1tent

There is also a sponsorship form in the bar at The Bell Inn, Aldworth, RG8 9SE, if you prefer to give cash.