Hello everyone and thank you for visiting my JustGiving page.

I am running the Folkestone Half Marathon on 29 September 2019 - a personal challenge and also to raise money for Crohn’s and Colitis UK. 

As some of you may know, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease about three years ago after suffering off and on for years with poor digestive health.  My weight had dropped to just over seven and a half stone and I was struggling to eat anything without it going straight through me.  I was in near constant pain, often having to get up in the middle of the night to take painkillers.   I would sit at work dosed up on co-codamol and cuddling a hot water bottle.  After several investigative procedures, probable Crohn’s was diagnosed and I was prescribed a course of steroids.  This was an absolute life changer; I responded well and soon started to feel myself again.

When I was feeling stronger I decided it was time to take back control of my life.  I took up running to improve my fitness, following the NHS “Couch to 5k” app (amazing programme – you should try it!) and just kept going.  I still have ups and downs, including occasional running poomergencies, but I continue to listen to and manage my body (and keep a mental map of all toilets on my running routes).  My aim is to run the Folkestone Half Marathon in under 2 hrs so I can put the Half Marathon distance to bed.  I hope I am successful!

In recognition of the great work Crohn’s and Colitis UK do I also want to take the opportunity to raise a modest amount of money to support their ongoing activities.  I am lucky as I have continued to be well with no further medical interventions necessary.  Many sufferers are not as lucky as me, spending time in hospital with the condition significantly impacting their lives.  As an added incentive to achieving my target time, I will pledge to add 5% to donations if I run under 2:00:00 hours and 10% if I run over 2:00:00 hours (gulp).

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