I am running the London Marathon in April to raise money for Crohn’s and Colitis UK. I have suffered with Crohn’s for over 16 years and feel privileged to be running the London marathon for this charity who have helped me overcome the hurdles this disease has thrown at me. I am so thankful to be healthy enough to even attempt it.

Right now, an estimated 500,000 people in the UK are living with a lifelong disease that many people have never heard of. And the real number could be almost double that.

Because of the stigma and misunderstanding surrounding these diseases, thousands of people are suffering in silence.

But they’re not alone.

Crohn's and Colitis UK are working to improve diagnosis and treatment, and to fund research into a cure; to raise awareness and to give people hope, comfort and confidence to live freer, fuller lives.