Story
<p><strong>***UPDATE***</strong></p>
<p>The London 10k was run yesterday by lots of people. Unfortunately, despite all my training going smoothly I suffered a major attack of gout on the day which meant that I couldn't walk let alone run. I fully intend to run 10k as soon as physically possible and am looking for an event to do. The irony of all of this is a bit galling, but thank you to those who have donated thus far, and for those that still want pictures of me sweaty and exhausted...you will have them!</p>
<p><strong>A Quick Hello!</strong></p>
<p>Hi there, thanks for coming to my JustGiving page. I hope you can give generously. I am Paul. I am 31 a father of one (10 month old Evie) and I suffer from a painful form of arthritis known as gout...and in May I will be running the Bupa 10,000 for <a title="Arthritis Research UK" href="http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org" target="_blank">Arthritis Research UK</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Why are you doing this to yourself? You could just run a pub quiz or something...</strong></p>
<p>I could indeed run a pub quiz...in fact I might just or bathe in beans or something similar. But there are three reasons why I chose to run:</p>
<p><strong>1. I am horribly unfit </strong>thanks to lack of exercise and am vain enough to hope that I can lose some weight by training for the run (If you don't believe that I am a bit of a pie man then see the pictures)!</p>
<p><strong>2. I wanted a decent challenge </strong>to overcome and running has always been a bit challenging for me (particularly when the TV remote is so close); and</p>
<p><strong>3. I suffer from a form of arthritis known as gout</strong>. I want to prove that this condition, painful as it is, will not rule the decisions I make, and</p>
<p>4. (I know I said three but this is the reason above the others so more like a strategic goal) <strong>I want to raise a lot of money for <a title="Arthritis Research UK" href="http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org" target="_blank">Arthritis Research UK</a></strong>, who have really helped me and other people with arthritic conditions through information, research and campaigning.</p>
<p><strong>I am intrigued tell me more about arthritis...</strong></p>
<p>...well I am not an expert but here are a few <a title="Arthritis Key Facts" href="http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/pdf/Arthritis%20Key%20Facts.pdf" target="_blank">key facts</a> (click on the link for further details):</p>
<p> - More than 6 million people in the UK have osteoarthritis in one or both knees;</p>
<p>- There are around 40,000 adults in the UK with rheumatoid arthritis;</p>
<p>- More than 10 million adults consult their GP eacch year with arthritis and related conditions;</p>
<p>- Over a quarter of a million adults visit their GP every year because of Gout.</p>
<p>Also there are over 15,000 children in the UK who have ongoing problems with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and related conditions.</p>
<p><strong>So what would Arthritis Research UK do with my money to help this?</strong></p>
<p>A good question. Your donations to Arthritis Research UK support vital research programmes that provide answers about the causes of arthritis and result in better treatment for arthritis sufferers. Arthritis Research UK's longer-term research programmes aim to find a cure for all the many forms of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and arthritis in children.</p>
<p>Your donation can make a difference here:</p>
<p>- It can cost only a few tens of pounds to get the chemicals needed to do some research;</p>
<p>- The same amount can provide the crucial image needed to make a difference to a research project.</p>
<p>Please see the video on this <a title="Donation Video" href="http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/about_us/how_we_spend_your_donations.aspx" target="_blank">web site</a> to see the difference that can be made.</p>
<p><strong>Put simply your money helps Arthritis Research UK towards achieving its vision of a future free from arthritis.</strong></p>
<p>Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</p>
<p><strong>So please dig deep and donate now.</strong></p>