Until a few years ago, I hadn't really needed to give much thought to how it would feel to live with a stoma.

But now, I have a close family member who has been on a tremendous journey adapting to life with a stoma and my day to day working purpose is to help people just like him.

Step Up For Stomas - The 7K Challenge is the perfect way I can personally show my support each and every day. I pledge to Walk, run, jog, skip or dance7,000 steps each day from September 1st to October 7th to support Colostomy UK.

Your contribution will mean we can continue to support the many thousands of people round the UK before and after their stoma surgery. Colostomy UK can keep on running our 24-hour Stoma Helpline, one-to-one befriending service, private Facebook group and Tidings magazine, support literature, Care Workshops and Active Ostomates programme!

Thank you from me and the 220k or so Ostomates living in the UK!