April 2014 I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, a form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. I was 16, had been very unwell and gone to the doctors many times to try and get some kind of answer. After many blood tests and rows, I was taken to A&E to be checked out further.

I was sent home, told I was completely fine and nothing was coming back abnormal. I ended up back at my doctors Monday morning having suffering with bleeding, unable to eat and severe pains in my stomach. My doctor pressed down on my stomach and I screamed .... I was rushed to hospital straight away.

Having stayed there for a week, undergoing many tests etc, I was again sent home and told "there's nothing wrong with you..." I got myself back to sixth form for a few hours a day, drugged up to the max and with a trolley bag as I had no energy to carry anything.

I came home on a Monday morning, not knowing I'd be rushed by ambulance that night and put on gas and air in order to help numb the pain. I stayed here for another little while, unable to even shower myself due to the pain / lack of energy I had and had further tests. After many rows with the nurses and one calling me a liar, I was told AGAIN that there was nothing wrong with me ... my dad discharged me himself and I was put under a private specialist.

Within 4 days I had the consultation, procedure and was diagnosed with Crohns and medication began. I was placed on a steroid that technically you're only meant to be placed on once ... I was put on it 3 times. It came with a list of side effects that you could write a book with. 15 tablets later, 2 shots of aloe Vera, 2 drinks and a VERY strict diet I was on the mend ... whilst spending a year in and out of doctors and hospital waiting rooms and missing a lot of school (although somehow I still passed!!!)

That whole year and even 3 years later, the worst part was how alone I felt. The pain you can get used to, but the fact doctors were telling my own mother I was a liar was horrible. The charity provides all the support in the world as well as investing lots of money into research in order to one day find a cure for this disease.

I tell ya, running for something that means the world to you really does help a lot. I want to raise not only loads of money but also lots of awareness as not enough people know about this disease! I feel well enough to do it so I'm doing it for my fellow Crohnies!

So come rain or shine, you'll find me at the end of the 26.2 mile run with a BEAMING smile on my face and I cannot wait!!

Thankyou for all the words of encouragement and please donate anything you can.

Love always xxxxx