Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

The 19th May is World IBD Day and I plan to run Britain's Ocean City Half Marathon to raise awareness and money to support much needed research. Last year, you all helped to raise a total of £560, lets try to double that this year!!! 

I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) in 2013. I became very ill in September 2016 and this had a massive impact on my life. I nearly ended up in hospital and began to take much stronger medication. This affected both my physical and mental health. Whilst the medication made life a little easier for me and got me into remission, it doesn't mean I'm cured, because currently there is no cure for IBD. Whilst in remission I was able to achieve a lot of personal goals, including; working back at sea, scuba diving again, climbing a mountain, moving to a new city, starting a new job, travelling to Australia in and doing a Skydive. 

In June last year, after a year and a half in remission, I was taken off one the medications "Infliximab", a biological drug immunosuppressant. Unfortunately, I have recently had another flare up and been quite poorly. Disappointingly, I have started Infliximab again. 

I have found exercise to be beneficial to my general well being. So, having walked a coastal marathon in 2017 with 5 amazing friends and running the Ocean City Half Marathon last year, completing in a great time of 2 hours 16 minutes, I have made the crazy decision to run it again, raising awareness of IBD and hopefully raising funds for the charity Crohn's and Colitis UK (CCUK). My training has had a bit of a setback, but I'm now getting back on track !!!

Since becoming ill I have spoken to, and met many inspirational people with Crohn's and Colitis. I have used online forums and support groups to help me through my own battles. I am now a volunteer committee member for the local Cornwall and Devon support network group. Whilst my NHS teams in Suffolk and Devon have been amazing, there are many people not receiving the medication, treatment and support they need. We are all hoping that one day a cure may be found and fundraising may help towards this. Please donate, even the smallest amount will help! Thank you all in advance :-) 

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