Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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.

So please dig deep and donate now.

I have never been good at distance running. At school I was always far more eager to do a 100 metres sprint than a long distance jog. I recently went to see my brother run in a 10k cross country event for charity and he inspired me to do this challenge. I have done many activities some people do for charity, including a sky-dive and a bungy jump (the second highest in the world in NZ). For me, this 10k run is a far more daunting challenge! I was diagnosed with Coeliac disease in 2006 and Coeliac UK has supported me from the beginning and continues to do so today with dietary advice and the latest research projects/findings. They are always there to answer any questions I have and to give reassurance and offer advice. It is for this reason that I decided to run on their behalf and raise as much money as I can for them.

Raising awareness of coeliac disease is vitally important as many people may have it without even realising it. Events such as this give us an opportunity to reach as many people as possible and share vital information about the condition whilst raising money to help fund vital research.

Coeliac disease is the least known and understood of all food allergies/intolerances yet it is probably the most prevalent and can result in serious health problems if left untreated. Coeliac disease is caused by an intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye - some coeliacs react to oats too - yet it can be treated very successfully by excluding gluten from the diet. The disease can lead to far more serious conditions such as osteoporosis, infertility and gut cancer if left untreated.

Coeliac UK, the national charity supporting people with coeliac disease, supports over 90 volunteer groups across the country. Around 600 newly diagnosed people join Coeliac UK every month. New Members receive a Welcome Pack with vital information on how to manage a gluten-free lifestyle which includes an annual Gluten-free food and drink directory listing over 11,000 foods coeliacs can eat, Crossed Grain – a regular magazine, as well as diet and food helplines. Members and anyone interested in a gluten-free lifestyle can also subscribe to eXG – a monthly electronic newsletter by logging onto www.coeliac.org.uk and following the link. For further details on membership or advice please call the Coeliac UK helpline on 0870 4448804.

Many thanks

Victoria