Story

Great friends Lizzie and Jemma have been running together for four years.  Out of the blue, in September 2012 Lizzie was diagnosed with Crohns disease so in February 2013 Jemma ran the Bath Half Marathon in aid of Crohns & Colitis UK raising over £1000 thanks to all the fantastic support from family and friends.  Having suffered for the last three months of 2012 with Crohns, amazingly, on the same day, Lizzie achieved her personal best at the Bideford Half Marathon.

In April 2013 Jemma was asked by the charity whether she would like to join their team to run the London Marathon!   It didn’t take long to make a decision. With Lizzies inspiration and determination they both signed up to run as a team for Crohns & Colitis UK!

Crohn’s disease effects 1 in 1000 in the UK.  It is an illness in which inflammation develops anywhere from the mouth to the anus. The body’s immune system attacks the gastrointestinal tract and can cause symptoms such as diarrheoa, abdominal pain and tiredness.  The inflammation can be mild in many cases but can sometimes be severe requiring strong medication or an operation to remove an affected part of the intestine.   The severity of the symptoms fluctuates unpredictably over time.  The disease affects mainly young adults but can affect teenagers or younger children and can sometimes start in later life. The most common age of diagnosis is between ages 15-25 years.  Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can run in families - about one fifth of people with the condition will have another family member affected.  The cause has not yet been identified and there is no cure at present. Both genetic factors and environmental triggers are likely to be involved.

 

The London Marathon is on Sunday 13th April and they will be running in aid of Crohn’s and Colitis UK (www.nacc.org.ukhttp://www.nacc.org.uk/>).  The charity aims to improve life for everyone affected by Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), the most common forms being Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Together these conditions affect about 250,000 people in the United Kingdom.  The charity brings together people of all ages who have been diagnosed with IBD, their families and the health professionals involved in their care.

 

They have a huge target of £5,000 to raise however, through people’s generosity and various fundraising events, from cakes sales and boot fairs to fine dining nights and Moulin Rouge Balls, they know it’s possible.  So please support us in our quest to achieve their goal and help support this wonderful charity!

 

Thank you very much!

 

 

Jemma and Lizzie