Tony Potts was a normal, happy and healthy child until his life changed forever at just 9 years old when he was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, but less than two years later his diagnosis was changed to Crohn's disease. Missing a lot of his last two years in primary school he started high school with an incurable disease. He was in a constant struggle with his health and missed months of his education and his childhood, due to constant trips to hospital and often being admitted for tests. His struggle with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) lead him into a state of depression at just 16, as he was starting a catering course at college, while also becoming a father to his son Jordan. During this time, his weight plummeted to just 6 stone and he was put on a tube feed for around 6 months, helping to keep his weight stable but he was only able to put on half of the weight he lost. This led to even more health problems as he was then diagnosed with Osteoporosis and Fibromyalgia. As his health deteriorated, Tony had to give up college and his job. He then begun to realise the lack of understanding around Inflammatory Bowel Disease and the lack of support for those affected. Now struggling with more then just Crohn's Disease, he has had to give up many other Jobs due to his ongoing struggle with his health, but after winning a competition to appear on the hit TV show Shameless back in 2007, he decided to organise a charity night in aid of Crohn's and Colitis UK on the night the episode he appeared in was aired, back in early 2008. This is where his life of campaigning began and since then he has set himself a target of £1 Million and is determined to raise as much awareness as possible.

Tony says "My aim is to raise £1 Million even if it takes me all my life but what I believe is more important then money is raising awareness and peoples understanding of the disease. My aim is to hopefully go to schools and work places to help educate staff and employers on the best way to support someone with IBD"

Now at the age of 28, Tony is organising his biggest charity event to date with the help of his friend Zena Fearnley, 25, a Salford University student studying Comedy Writing and Performance.

Working together, they have organised a comedy charity night entitled 'Shits and Giggles' at The Frog and Bucket Manchester on the 27th November. The night will include performances from Salford sketch group Yellow Soul and Stand-up comedy from Kiri Pritchard-McLean, John Cooper and headline Act, Dana Alexander.

Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease are bowel conditions which can have a devastating impact on every area of life and currently have no known cure. Around 240,000 people across the UK have Crohn’s and Colitis, and more than half are diagnosed when young.

Crohn’s and Colitis UK is the major UK charity which offers information and support to all those affected and also funds vital research. 

‘Crohn’s and Colitis UK does a fantastic job and I’m hoping as many people as possible will support my event,’ Tony says.

Tony's charity night will be held at The Frog and Bucket, Manchester, on the 27th November. Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm. Tickets are £7 full price, £5 concessions in advance. £10 on the door. To book tickets call 0161 236 9805 or visit www.frogandbucket.com

 

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