Thank you for visiting our page for Endometriosis UK. My team members: Sam Westcott; Danny Mullings; Ashley Devaney; Chris Shea; Josh Byron are taking on some big challenges for the cause and we are very grateful for your support. Keep reading to find out what we are doing and what has inspired us…

Endometriosis is a condition that affects so many women (approximately 1.5 million in the UK alone), yet there is very little awareness among the general population and even medical professionals; and there is such little funding that goes toward research for better treatments and, ultimately a cure.

Symptoms of endometriosis include chronic pain, fatigue and lack of energy; problems with fertility; depression & isolation and can impact relationships, day to-day activity & social lives.

Unfortunately, my wife Janey has been managing the impact of this condition for around 18 years and, whilst she absolutely bosses it I could not be prouder, it is not easy for her.

During the 7 + years Janey and I have known each other, I have witnessed her go through extreme physical and mental challenges that endometriosis has thrown her way. Just last week (new year 2022), she spent several days in hospital alone on morphine and other strong pain killers to try and manage the severe pain, the second time this has happened in the last few months. Trips like this are not a solution just a small temporary help and, she still comes home in agony, yet being the strong and determined woman she is, she climbs the mountains of pain and pushes through the obstacles to be a mum, a wife, work a full-time career and basically, like I said above “boss it!” The next mountain Janey has to climb is her fourth operation which will be her most extensive yet, but unfortunately it is not known whether it will solve her current pain issues entirely and, certainly will not solve symptoms long-term.

Managing the condition is never easy, but recently it has been relentlessly throwing levels of pain I cannot even imagine at Janey every minute of every single day. If that isn’t bad enough, the last months in particular have opened my eyes to how little support and treatment pathways there is for the condition; basically this involves multiple surgeries, pain management, hormonal therapy or early chemical or surgical menopause. Also how there is such little basic awareness and understanding among the so called professionals for a condition that affects so many women; and, how women like Janey get dismissed or their symptoms played down again and again everywhere they turn for advice or support.

It is and has been so difficult to witness someone I love go through so much physical/mental pain and trauma and feel powerless to do anything to help in any way. This is why I have decided to pull together a few small teams, to take on some big physical challenges of our own to fundraise money for the charity Endometriosis UK and, raise general awareness of the condition.

The charity supports women in the UK living with endometriosis by providing support and advice, connecting people, funding research and campaigning for policy changes to improve diagnosis and treatment. Recently Janey attended one of their webinars where they had a few Endometriosis experts talking about long-term pain management and engaging with the audience to answer questions. She said that she got more info and answers out of that short session than she had in 18 years of NHS appointments. A Link to their website can be found on this page.

The challenges we will undertake:

* Sat 6th May we will take on the London West Tough Mudder event – Thirty obstacles over a 15km course.

* Sat 3rd June a small team of us will be setting out to complete the national three peaks challenge – aiming to scale the three highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales in 24 hours. The total assent is over 3000 metres with a hiking distance of 23 miles.

* Sat 1st Jul will be the Fan Dance – This is the original SAS and special forces fitness test to get into selection. A 24km march on Penny Fan, the highest mountain in the Brecon Beacons. For the march you must wear a backpack weighing 35lbs + drinking water and the course goes up and over the mountain, then back again.

Some close friends and family are joining the cause and have joined one or more of my three teams to take part in the challenges. We will be extremely grateful for any funds you are able to kindly donate, every pound and penny will count and is going to a fantastic cause. Remember, as well as donating, talk about the cause and the condition with people you know as raising awareness is just as important as putting money in the pot.

None of this will lessen the physical pain and emotional rollercoaster my number one is going through right now, but me and my teams hope that it will get more people talking about endometriosis and raise lots of money to support research for a cure and other vital work for each of the one in ten ladies currently going through their own endo battles now and in the future.

Thanks for reading and truly, thank you all in advance for any support you are able to provide.

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