If anyone knows me, you will know that 1) don't do things by halves and 2) I am NOT a runner. However, I have set myself the challenge to run the Brighton Marathon and have given myself 14 weeks to train for it! My poor knees! 

I have chosen to run for Bowel Research UK for a number of reasons: 

1) Bowel Cancer has unfortunately been present in my family at least twice. In 2019, after a long and gruelling battle with cancer, my wonderful, brave and strong Nana Loretta passed away.  She was such a huge part of my life and I miss her everyday... whilst she would not be happy that I have chosen to put my body through its paces again (as if the bikini body building challenges weren’t enough), I know she would be very proud of me and will be cheering me on albeit thinking I am totally 'mashugana' (that is yiddish for crazy!); and

2) Over two years ago, I decided to leave the legal world (much to my parents' dismay/ they are incredibly supportive) and jump into working at Ostique, a pioneering UK SME where we are working to address the neglected needs of over 2.5 million ostomates worldwide. 

In the UK alone over 190,000 people live with a stoma. This is an artificial opening made in the abdomen diverting waste into an ostomy bag (a plastic bag adhering to users skin via a detachable or attached adhesive baseplate), which ostomates must wear constantly. Stoma surgery is often required following bowel disease, cancer and/or trauma. The global ostomy market of over 2.5 million ostomates is growing annually at a rate of over 5% due to increasing prevalence of bowel disease and cancer.

Ostique is a pioneering ostomy-care company creating aesthetically empathetic ostomy products with superior functionality; making every day easier and empowered for 2.5million ostomates worldwide by challenging and changing how ostomy products are designed, delivered and perceived.  

It is therefore my absolute pleasure to be able to raise money for Bowel Research UK, who have not only been a huge support to Ostique over the last 2 years but they continue to help us and aid meaningful research to improve the lives of people across the UK. 

So if you can, please show me some love and donate what you can... and wish me luck! 

Love Toni x