Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. My inspiration for running the marathon, as well as being glutton for punishment(!) is my cousin and best friend Torty, who was diagnosed with severe Crohn's disease at 14.

There are thousands of sufferers of Crohn's and Colitis in the UK alone, but this is Torty's story:

"I was diagnosed with Crohn's when I was fourteen. I had been to see a doctor a few times in the months before my diagnosis, having lost around three stone in weight, been in crippling pain, severe fatigue, a mouth full of ulcers and ending up with a abscess the size of a golf ball. After a few misdiagnoses (ranging from an eating disorder to cancer) I was rushed to hospital to have the first of many surgeries, and was quickly diagnosed with Crohn's disease. This was all completely horrendous, especially for a young girl. Over ten years have passed since this terrifying day, and since then I have learned a lot about myself, Crohn's Disease, and other sufferers.

Because Crohn's (and the symptoms of Crohn's) can be perceived as embarrassing, people often don't talk about the illness and this means that it doesn't get much publicity and essential funding. Crohn's and Colitis UK really do make an incredible and vital difference to the lives of us sufferers.

Since my diagnosis I have spent months and months in hospital, have had my entire large intestine removed as well as many other major surgeries. I take tablets daily and self-administer injections weekly. I really couldn't cope and wouldn't have the strength to fight this horrific illness without the support of not only Crohn's and Colitis UK, but also my incredible family and friends. Sadly for patients such as myself, if the current state of the art treatments that I am on stop working, there is not a great deal more that my doctors can do, so funding for Crohn's and Colitis UK really is vital for myself and thousands of other suffers.

Sadly there is still no cure for Crohn's, but Crohn's and Colitis UK are doing a fantastic job in supporting suffers, raising awareness of a horrible and embarrassing illness, and also funding essential and life saving research."

Finally, a last word from me (Lucy) - donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Any donation, no matter how small, will be hugely appreciated.

Many thanks in advance for you help and support.

Lucy x