Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am running 2 half marathons in March 2018, Bath Half on Sunday 4 March & London Landmarks Half Marathon on Sunday 25 March to raise awareness & money for this worthwhile charity Stomawise, in support of my friend and colleague Claire Prangle. Her strength and determination that she has continued to show is inspirational, and this is her story:

For the 4th time in 23 years she was diagnosed with Cancer this time in her large intestine, due to other serious medical conditions she had to make the life-changing decision to have her large intestine and rectum permanently removed and replaced with a stoma bag. This this life changing operation happened in October 2017 and she is still in recovery After a check up with her consultant for the 2nd time in 2 years she will be going through months of chemotherapy treatment to ensure all cancerous cells are removed.

Stomawise’s primary objective is to provide support and assistance to others that are about to, or have gone through ostomy surgery for 1 of over 50 possible reasons.

To some it can feel as though they have had there lives taken away, and for others it has given a life back when they have been house bound for many years.

In providing these objectives we have three main causes.

Firstly: The OstoBears which is a custom-made teddy bear with either a stoma or an ACE.

Secondly: Our Caravan appeal. This is to allow us to purchase and maintain 5 static caravans around the UK and then allow post surgery ostomates at the request of their stoma nurse the possibility of a free week’s holiday to aid their recuperation after surgery.

Thirdly: Our aim is to increase Ostomy Awareness as much as possible and remove the taboos that have been given to this type of surgery/condition over time.