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Most weight loss programmes come with the small print proviso of "check with your doctor before starting any form of exercise". So imagine my delight when I asked a doctor whether it would be completely ludicrous to do a sponsored walk. The event is 14 months away, so I have enough time to train for the trek along Devon's challenging coastline. That's the theory. But, as she helpfully pointed out, I might not be able to walk this time next year.

Yes, while I spend my days pretending everything is fine, and that my incurable bowel cancer is behaving itself, there is talk of reintroducing a chemotherapy drug which includes the side-effect of neuropathy. It can cause people to lose sensation in their hands and feet. It would bash my tumours on the head in a massive way, but could also cause problems like making it difficult for me to type articles, hold cutlery, tie up my shoelaces and walk.

But, in the world of cancer treatment, where everything seems based around the idea of "wait and see what happens", I'm bored of waiting.

I don't want to sit around and wait to see if I'll be well enough to walk 26 miles next July. I want to start the training now and will deal with the walking issue if it arises.

The 26 miles isn't quite a marathon distance, but with my massive hernia, which means I cannot run anymore, it's the closest I'll ever get to completing one, and I'm sure I can walk the extra 385 yards to make up the full amount.

I'm not naive and know that my cancer will eventually kill me. Still, I think completing the challenge would be me physically and emotionally sticking two fingers up at the dastardly disease for the day.

And, now surgeons have more or less decided not to operate on me this year, because my summer isn't going to be one of being chopped up and then recovering before being chopped up again. It would give me a sense of purpose.

I can't go for a walk just for the sake of it, so having a training plan to stick to until the big day next summer would be a good thing for me.

It's also for a very good cause - raising money for Devon Air Ambulance.

Like air ambulance charities across the world, they are a vital service that is the difference between life and death for critically ill people every year.

Eight years ago, one of those people was a woman called Beth Matthews, whom I have written about several times before.

She jumped from a bridge onto a motorway and not by a miracle, but due to an air ambulance crew, and other emergency service workers, at the scene, she survived that day.

Devastatingly, she lost her battle with mental health issues four years later.

But on the day that the air ambulance was called she was airlifted to hospital and then, through her work raising awareness of mental health issues, saved thousands of lives.

So when I lace up my shoes in July 2027 and put one foot in front of the other during the Heli-hike, if I can still walk, I'll be thinking of her.

And if I can't walk enough to do the coastal path trek, I'll find some way to shuffle or crawl 26 miles along a pavement.

I never met her, but she inspires me to do my best to kick cancer in the balls and not let it get in the way of what I want to do, and who I want to be.

And that includes wanting to be the top fundraiser for the Devon Air Ambulance event.

So when I write an article next year asking for donations, please click the link and give some hard-earned cash instead of just scrolling past.

Whatever you're going through, you can call the Samaritans free at any time from any phone on 116 123. Lines are open 24 hours a day. You can also email jo@samaritans.org