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Coeliac Disease is not a food allergy it is an autoimmune disease. Eating gluten causes the lining of the small intestine to become damaged. Other parts of the body maybe affected.

Research shows that Coeliac Disease affects 1 in 100 people in the UK, making it much more common than previously thought. Because of the large variety of symptons under-diagnosis is a big problem. Most Medical doctors are taught to look for classic symptons and often make a wrong diagnosis or no diagnosis at all. Research suggests around 500,0000 people have not yet been diagnosed. Coeliac UK research shows the average time it takes to be diagnosed is 13 Years.

Like many people with Coeliac Disease, I have spent alot of years and money going through many tests and misdiagnoses.Over the years I have been misdiagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Bowel Disease, Glucose Intolerance, Kidney problems, bacterial infections, thyroid problems etc and lost count of the number of doctors seen.

Over the past couple of years severe fatigue set in, I was constantly weak and rarely got enough sleep, had severe nausea and diarrhoea, large painful canker sores, joint pain, followed by slurring speech and severe reactions after eating, causing my neck/throat and face to swell and my skin to itch.

No one new what was wrong with me. I seriously thought I had cancer.

The day I decided to follow a strict gluten free diet was the day I got my life back! A diet which involves eliminating wheat, rye, oats, barley and for me some dairy and coffee.

I enthusiastically accepted the difficult task of eating no more proper pizza, pasta, bread, cakes, soy sauce and even some wines- the list goes on. Myself and my little girl who also developed the same symptons have been following a strict gluten free diet for a year now, which has been totally life changing for both of us.

I am passionate about raising money and awareness for this charity. I don't want other people to experience the fustration of undiagnosed coeliac disease, and spend years questioning why they're suffering from depression, digestive issues, migraines, fatigue or even infertility and anxiety. There's an answer and that answer could be Coeliac Disease.

This is a massive challenge for myself, as I will be fitting this around my usual working week.

Along with the 1000 length swim challenge. We are hoping to raise additional funds by doing a Kids charity swim, Cake Sale, Car Boot etc.

I would very much appreciate any support possible with this challenge.