For some, scaling Snowdon may be a walk in the park, for others hard work but satisfying, however for me the challenge is altogether more daunting.

I've been suffering with Crohn's Disease for well over 10 years and have had many surgeries, including one to save my life aged 24. As my friends and family know, since then my day to day life has been a challenge in itself. It's been a long time since I've spent a day in the great outdoors far away from any facilities let alone attempted to climb a mountain! This delightful disease saps my energy, disturbs my sleep and to top it all off for the last 2 & 1/2 years I haven't eaten any starchy carbs, sugar or grains so keeping weight on is a challenge! I do feel a lot better for it and have managed to come off some pretty nasty drugs so there is a bright side! :-)

The ground-breaking work of Prof. John Hermon-Taylor may well lead to a cure and initial trials are starting later this year but further funding is still required (no profits for drug companies equals no funding!). I can't emphasise enough how this has the potential to change people's lives by not having to go through what I have. Even after everything, the impact on my own life would be significant.

For more details on the vaccine go to www.crohnsmapvaccine.com

Wish me luck (and the husband and the dog!).