For those of you who don't know me and have merely stumbled across my page or have received the link from a friend, I would like to tell you a little about myself and my chosen charity.

I am 16 years old and was diagnosed with Crohn's disease last year .  I have had an absolutely awful 15 months trying to come to terms with this incurable  condition, however I soon realized that I had no alternative but to deal with it!

Despite having been on a no food diet for 8 weeks  / high dosages of steroids / hospitalization, regrettably I am still no closer to managing the condition. My consultants have now placed me on regular infusions of infliximab  in the hope that this will assist with my sometimes horrific symptoms . As a result of the extensive diarrhea and vomiting  I have now also become malnourished and last week I had an NG nasal feeding tube fitted . 

Whilst the last few months have been rather  busy with my GCSE examinations,  my concentration levels have not always been at their optimum, especially when I am experiencing flareups with Crohns . Since the end of last term I had only been attending school 2 days   a week, allowing me the other three days to work from home.  This arrangement with the school proved extremely helpful and  enabled  me to recover a little and work at my own pace .

The only down side to the above arrangement was that I had far to much free time on my hands to ponder about my illness and the limitations it was having on my once " normal " life . Fortunately, during  one of my darker moments I was able to refocus my mind and it was at that point that I decided to do something positive .

I have therefore decided to hold a charity function to raise both awareness in respect of the condition which is still a taboo with many people and also to raise funds  . These much needed  funds will enable further research to take place in the hope that a cure can be found for this debilitating disease  during my  lifetime so that future generations do not have to suffer as I have .

Many of you are unable to attend the event but have expressed a desire to make a donation  and I am extremely grateful to each of you for your kindness and generosity.

Together  I am confident that we will make a difference and find a cure for this horrible debilitating condition !