Thanks for taking the time to read about why I am running the London Marathon this coming April.

My personal experience with Crohn's comes from an immediate family member who was diagnosed at a very early age, having been severely unwell in his first few years.

Being severely ill at school can take its toll, but I always lived in awe and admiration of someone who never let it get him down and soldiered on, even when unable to eat or sleep. 

He never once let on how much he was suffering, even when doctors were unsure of what would happen next or rating chances of survival. 

That's how we knew how ill he was, when he would finally admit that it was time for the midnight trip to the hospital, or the traditional birthday spent in the hospital canteen.

As a youngster, I have to admit I was oblivious to many of the troubles he was having, and didn't understand what all the fuss was about. 

I certainly didn't understand how missing GSCE and A-Level exams (explains the better grades than me) due to illness was not a blessing, but in fact an awful, torturous time. 

Seeing him run the 5km cross country course at school whilst being fed through a tube was the single most impressive - and emotional - thing I have ever seen and sticks with me to this day, hence my decision to run the London Marathon on behalf of Crohn's and Colitis. 

I want to make it possible that GPs and other healthcare professionals alike are aware of the suffering Crohn's can cause, and it isn't always a wound-up and uptight parent! 

We need to educate so that friends, family, teachers and colleagues understand what it is like to live with Crohn's and make sure everyone feels comfortable.

I would greatly appreciate any donations that people can afford to make at this point, and hope to see everyone at a gig/auction early in 2023 as we raise money for this incredibly important cause.