As many of you may know, I decided to embrace the challenge of running the Royal Parks Half-Marathon this coming October! Also, as many of you may know, my favourite activities include Aperol Spritz and Tiramisu' - which I had to give up in the attempt of running more than 5km without fainting! But I am doing it for a reason close to my heart: I am running to increase awareness and to support the only charity that takes care of people affected by Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). Ankylosing...what? It is a little known yet very serious disease, affecting around 200,000 people in the UK and 600,000 in Italy. Ankylosing Spondylitis is a painful, chronic and progressive form of inflammatory arthritis. It mainly affects the spine, but can also affect other joints, tendons and ligaments. There is no cure for AS and it is not possible to reverse the damage caused by the condition. That's why we need every possible help to support medical research and the people affected.

Thank you for your help - every little donations will matter!

Lorenza

P.S. You can find out more on the disease here: www.saichelasa.it (Italian) and on the Charity: www.nass.co.uk