It required a little bit of patience in my quest to meet Gabby Logan for the Lives & Times bowel cancer charity book. I'd initially made contact with Gabby on Twitter, and she immediately agreed to be in the book. After months of near misses, cancellations, and me nagging her agent, we finally did the photograph for the book, in Reading of all places, being where I live. Gabby was at an event there supporting the Great British Tennis Weekend in 2015. We met towards the end of her stint, so time was against me, but she kindly chatted for a few minutes, and happily posed for photos including this one with the bowel cancer tie. The chapter includes the near miss story of going to do this photo at the BBC Match of the Day studios in Manchester. Gabby was absolutely lovely, and I really appreciate her support for the book.
My mother sadly passed away in 2016 from bowel cancer, having first being diagnosed in 2012. Four years, and five major operations - it was only when the cancer spread to her brain that her health declined. She died peacefully with me, my brother and sister at her bedside. My fundraising has continued, if anything with even greater passion and drive, and now dedicated to the memory of our wonderfully brave and courageous mum. Please support this fundraising book, which is available on my website, as every sale counts both in raising money and raising awareness about bowel cancer. All proceeds raised from sales are donated to the Beating Bowel Cancer / Bowel Cancer UK, who have recently merged to become the UK's leading bowel cancer charity. Over £3750 has been raised so far.
Over the course of 18 months I met and photographed people from all walks of life to form the chapters of Lives & Times. Every single person taking part has given up their own time to do it and all funds raised go to the Beating Bowel Cancer charity. As well as Gabby, others included are, Sir Steve Redgrave, Katherine Grainger, Jonathan Agnew, Nadine Dorries, Lorraine Kelly, Christopher Biggins, Matthew Wright, Freya North, Gail Porter, Alan Davies, Shaun Keaveny, Carrie Grant, Mike Read, Status Quo, The Stranglers, The Alarm, Clare Grogan and many others.
