Some years ago, a good friend of mine, Martyn Wells, fell ill. 

After 3 years, 35 nights in hospital, 3 operations, hundreds of blood tests, and over 100 appointments with 7 difference consultants, he was disagnosed with polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), a rare form of vasculitis (in the UK, the incidence of PAN is estimated to be roughly 5 per 1,000,000).

A severe, oftern terminal and debilitating illness, vasculitis is an auto-immune disease that effects the blood supply to the body's major organs and nervous systems. Harsh treatment regimes, including chemotherapy, long term steroid usage, and other immune system suppressing drugs are used to put the illness into remission. They are not always successful either, and sadly some patients lose their lives.

Martyn, I'm pleased to say is now well on the road to recovery and has decided to walk the entre 31 miles of the Worcestershire Way on Saturday 29th June 2013 - to raise awareness and funds for the charity Vasculitis UK, who were established to provide support to patients and their families as well as supply whatever limited funds they can towards medical research projects aimed at diagnosis and treatment of this condition.  

Fortunately, I don't have Vasculitis and in theory am fit and healthy and in the prime of life (I said in theory ..... ) - so all the more reason for me to help those less fortunate than I, by joining Martyn on his 31 mile walk.  And also, he needs someone to read the map.  Or something .....

It'll actually be the longest day's walk I've done since I was in my 20s.   Back in the days when I wasn't quite as fat ......  So not exactly an easy stroll.  And we wont even be able to stop in any of the pubs we pass!!!!   Not till we reach Malvern, anyway....

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