Melanomore - In Memory of Vince Elmore

Hi There,

I am pledging to run 60 miles (96.97kms from Gatton to Springfield Central) on the first Saturday of December, 2020 in memory of my Dad, Vince Elmore. Dad devastatingly passed away in March 2018 after a long and courageous battle with Melanoma. It would have been Dad’s 60th Birthday on the 1st of December. I will be sharing my journey and raising as much awareness as I can for Melanoma and it’s prevention, causes and treatments along the way.  

I have been waiting, waiting for the right time, for the right feeling, to honour Dads memory, to do what I promised him I would. But, there is no good time, no day I don’t miss him, no day I don’t want to just pick up the phone and call him. No day I would give up everything I own for one more hug, one more cuppa with dad. He was my Dad for almost 30 years, you don’t get over that in a certain timeframe, it’s doesn’t get easier, you just learn to live differently. 

My son, Oliver, admired his Grandad, and misses him dearly, he often asks when is Grandad coming back. Every couple of days he just starts to talk abut Grandad and all the fun times they had together. One day he asked me “mum if I go for a really, really big sleep will Grandad come back when I wake up”? This truly breaks my heart, every single time, but it also warms my heart knowing Dad’s memory lives on in him. It is also wonderful to hear him share his stories with his little sister Madeleine whom I was 6 months pregnant with when Dad passed away. 

When caring for my Dad in his final days of fighting Melanoma, Dad asked me to promise him. He asked me to promise him I would do anything and everything I could to prevent his beloved Grandchildren suffering in any way from this insidious cancer.  

So now is the time, I have to fulfil my promise. For Dad, and for his Grandchildren, I have to help eradicate melanoma, to help find its cure and help prevent the next generation experiencing the sadness, anger and loss everyone effected by the insidious cancer has felt. 

Throughout my training I would like to raise equal awareness and funds for Mater Smiling for Smiddy and the Melanoma Institute Australia.  

I chose the Melanoma Institute Australia for the support they gave my Dad and our family throughout his battle, and they continue to give to all those sadly affected by Melanoma Australia wide. I would also like to support their continued efforts towards raising awareness for the prevention of Melanoma through providing vital information of the importance of sun safety and skin checks for all Australians. I follow closely the research projects of the Melanoma Institute Australia and would like to raise funds to support these vital efforts towards finding that much needed cure. 

I'm making a difference and running for a cause that's close to my heart. I’d appreciate any contribution, big or small.

Donations made through this platform are secure and will be remitted directly through to my charity of choice. 

Thankyou so much for your support!