Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

As some of you may know, I suffer with a condition known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Not long after puberty, I realised that things weren't right with how my body was functioning.

After years of trying to figure out what was wrong, having had many blood tests, uncomfortable ultrasounds and embarrassing doctor appointments from the tender age of 16, I recently - at the age of 23 - got the full and proper diagnosis. My other appointments often ended in being told I might have PCOS and to come back. I would then be right back at square one again.

I have struggled for years with the symptoms of PCOS and have often felt incredibly isolated dealing with issues my friends and peers didn't seem to worry about. Symptoms include: hair thinning/loss, excess body and facial hair, weight gain, metabolic problems, irregular periods, painful periods, depression, anxiety, infertility, acne, etc.

It is extremely frustrating to face a condition like this. There is hardly any research or understanding of PCOS. Any information I have read, to find a way to deal with the symptoms, contradicts massively from one source to the next. Many women with this condition struggle greatly to live fulfilling lives due to how PCOS destroys self esteem and any feeling of femininity. There are also increased risks of issues such as being unable to conceive a child,Type 2 Diabetes and Ovarian Cancer.

Many of these things I have to deal with daily and it's hard. PCOS affects my mood; my relationships with family, friends and my boyfriend. It affects how I dress, wanting to cover up and hide myself away out of fear of judgement. It has fuelled anxiety and depression, giving me a severe hatred for my body which I've only been making worse by eating trash nearly everyday. PCOS is also something I'm incredibly sensitive and insecure about.

There is no cure. Hardly any research has gone into this issue that affects 1 in 10 women. The main thing told to women with PCOS is to lose weight in order to control symptoms. Losing weight, however, is incredibly hard due to metabolic issues that are often a symptom. It is also important to note not just obese women suffer from these problems.

So, to care for myself as well as help other women with this condition, I'm going to lose weight for charity. All donations will go to Verity, the only UK based charity set up to support women like me. I intend to lose a lb a week until the end of the year starting from the 1st of March 'til the end of the year. This should lead to 3st 2lbs (44lbs).

This is an extremely important cause for me. I know what it feels like to look in the mirror and hate everything you see. To be so conscious of what people think about the way you look. For thinking you take up too much space, not worthy of love and always being your own worst enemy. To have support from like-minded people going through similar things can be make all the difference, lifting your mood knowing that you're not alone.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please donate anything you can and if you can't donate please share.