Thanks for taking the time to read why I’m raising money for Guts UK

On the weekend of my Half Ironman race, July 2017, my Auntie Helen was rushed to hospital with abdominal pain. Knowing nothing on the start line, Helen was soon in a critical condition, oxygen dependent and showing signs of sepsis. Over the next week she was transferred to intensive  care, in an induced coma, suffering from Sepsis, and multiple organ failure. Pancreatitis had taken a hold on her body. Over the next 7 months she underwent multiple operations to remove most of her bowel, pancreas and fluid from her lungs. 

Following excellent care from the staff at The Freeman Hospital Newcastle, she made a slow but steady recovery, and other than a few hiccups, she is making progress with her rehabilitation at home.

There is long road ahead for her and my family to go on, with her needing daily care for her drip feed, regular hospital appointments and future surgery planned later this year. 

She was planning to travel to Copenhagen to support me, but won’t be strong enough to travel. 

Throughout my training, and undoubtably during the race, her determination, will and humour over the last year are my guiding force.

Guts UK is committed to fighting all digestive diseases. These are conditions that affect the gut, liver and pancreas. Collectively they are a factor in 1 in 8 deaths in the UK. Guts UK supports medical research to save lives.