In April 2023, I was diagnosed with a rare disease called Granulomatosis with Polyangitis (GPA). GPA is an autoimmune disorder and a type of vasculitis where the immune system attacks small blood vessels in the body. In my case; my nose, sinuses and lungs are affected.

What started off as continuous nosebleeds and sinusitis, ended up in major pulmonary haemorrhage with me having to spend time in HDU and a respiratory ward until my oxygen levels were able to recover. It has been a long and challenging road—filled with a lot of uncertainty and unpredictability of how the disease will progress.

Nearly 2 years on, symptoms have somewhat settled but I'm still getting to grips with my 'new normal'. This is where the Lauren Currie Twilight Foundation come in..

The LCTF is a wonderful vasculitis charity providing support, advice and so much more to those affected by vasculitis, be it for sufferers themselves or those close to them.

Having a community so open, friendly and helpful has made my 'vasculitis journey' so much more bearable. Having the opportunity to reach out to other sufferers has made such a positive impact and any worries and questions are always met with kindness and understanding.

The LCTF provides online support and counselling; organises support groups and wellbeing services; and provides a respite cabin for when those need to have some time to reset away from the pressures of daily life.

So!...Getting to the point! A few of my close family and friends and I (Team 'Wheezy Does It') are taking the opportunity to walk from Clydebank to Balloch (14.3 miles) to raise money for the LCTF as part of the Glasgow Kiltwalk 2025!!

Please donate as much as you can to this wonderful charity to help raise awareness of vasculitis, fund valuable research in to vasculitis and to help continue the important work they already provide those suffering from this rare disorder.

To find out more about this charity, please follow this link:

https://thelaurencurrietwilightfoundation.org/about-lctf