Nearly 10 years since I ran my first (and only) marathon, I have decided to lace up the running shoes again and will be setting off to complete London Marathon on 23rd April. However, this time will be slightly different.

As many of you know, my Dad was diagnosed with Crohns Disease (an inflammatory bowel disease that causes chronic inflammation of the GI tract) when he was a teenager. The disease tends to run in the family and, in January 2021, after experiencing blood in my stool, weight loss and severe stomach cramps, I had a colonoscopy which confirmed I too had Crohn's disease.

My initial treatment wasn't successful and my symptoms began to get worse. I was starting to go for a poo about 7-8 times a day and, at the height of my illness, I was involuntarily soiling myself once a day. I developed cluster of ulcers in and around my mouth that made eating and swallowing painful and all of this culminated in my weight dropping to just over 9 stone.

In November 2021, I developed a fistula (avoid googling if you're eating!) which resulted in myself needing surgery to have a seton inserted. Around this time, I started a new biological medication and started to see the positive results of this and, at this current moment, I am in good health and back doing all the things I was before my diagnosis. 

While there will be a time where my current medication can no longer control the disease and I will have to attempt a new treatment, I am trying to live life to the fullest and that is why I am running the London Marathon to raise money for Crohns & Colitis UK. Whether it’s by donating to the page, spreading the word with friends and family or cheering my name on the day, thank you for all your support.

Crohn's & Colitis UK are the UK's leading charity for Crohn's and Colitis. Right now, over 500,000 people in the UK are living with a lifelong disease that many people have never heard of. I am taking part in the 2023 TCS London Marathon to support Crohn's & Colitis UK, and your donation can help Crohn's & Colitis UK's mission to improve diagnosis and treatment; to fund research and raise awareness.