In March 2021, I started having chests pains and I was unable to keep food down. This was obviously a scary time and involved multiple trips to the doctors whilst they were trying to work out the cause. After 5 months of referrals which involved cameras and a pressure tubes looking down my nose and throat, I was finally diagnosed with Achalasia.

Achalasia occurs when nerves in the oesophagus become damaged. As a result, the oesophagus becomes paralysed and dilated over time and eventually loses the ability to squeeze food down into the stomach. It is a rare disorder and is thought to affect around 1 in 100,000 people each year. There is no cure for Achalasia, once the oesophagus is paralysed the muscles can not work properly again.

I was offered a surgical procedure called Heller’s Myotomy, where they cut the muscle fibres of the sphincter to help permanently improve swallowing. Whilst waiting for this I lost 2 stone in weight, was off work for 7 weeks and was fitted with a feeding tube. After successfully having the surgery in August 2021 I have been recovering since.

This year I’ve decided to raise money for Guts UK, who provide 

• Expert information, 
• Raise public awareness

…and the most important bit, 

• Fund life-changing & life saving research.

I’ve decided to cycle 100 miles around the Peak District. This will be my longest ride and highest ascent to date. With over 2600 meters in ascent, the route will include Whetstone Ridge, Mam Tor, Gun and Sir William’s Hill.
I wanted to raise money by setting myself a challenge far from the flat landscape of Cambridge.

Please help support me in raising money for this brilliant charity and follow my journey on Instagram @jpawley7, strava or zwift