<p><span style="color: #800080;">Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page</span><br><br><span style="color: #800080;">My name is Joanne (or RoboJo) and since the age of 26 I have suffered with Rheumatoid Arthritis. This debilitating disease changed my life, I had to give up work and 18 years on I've had major joint replacement of my hip and knee joints and 4 other surgeries to correct damage to my hands and feet caused by the RA, with a few other operations on the horizon including shoulder replacements and more foot surgery. I am fortunate to have a wonderful GP, Rheumatology team and Orthopaedic surgeon who keep me going (even if it means I'm being turned into a cyborg!)</span><br><br><span style="color: #800080;">Another important part of my life is the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) I have been a member and volunteer for them for a number of years now, and they really have made a difference to my quality of life, helping others has made me feel that I'm not left on the scrapheap. I would like to help raise some funds for this patient led charity to help raise awareness about RA not only with the general public, but also with the medical professionals. NRAS offer help and support for the long term management of RA, which can affect people of any age.</span><br><br><span style="color: #800080;">This year marks NRAS's 10th Birthday, and to celebrate this I'm hoping to take part in a number of activities to help them continue the wonderful work they do in raising awareness of RA, supporting people and their families and producing some excellent publications on the many aspects the condition can have.</span><br><span style="color: #800080;"><br></span></p> <p><span style="color: #800080;"><strong>Completed Events</strong></span></p> <p><span style="color: #800080;"><a href="http://www.eightpointtwo.co.uk/event_details.asp?ID=59">Trafford Centre Abseil - September 25th</a></span></p> <p><span style="color: #800080;">I've now had my place confirmed to abseil down the 60m Bell Tower at the Trafford Centre at 4.30pm on Sunday 25th September.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #800080;"><strong>Birmingham - Worcester Cycle Ride</strong></span></p> <p><span style="color: #800080;">I'll be cycling from Birmingham to Worcester using the towpath of the Birmingham - Worcester canal The total journey is 30 miles.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #800080;"><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">Completed 18/08/2011 - Total ride 32 miles!</span><br></strong></span></p> <p><span style="color: #800080;"><strong><a href="http://www.goskyride.com/Birmingham">Birmingham Sky Ride</a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="color: #808080;">I'll be taking part in the Birmingham Sky Ride, I'm hoping to do as many miles as I can around the traffic free circuit in Birmingham.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #808080;"><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">Completed 20 Miles - 28 3/4 with the ride to and from the event!</span></strong><br></span></p> <p><span style="color: #800080;"><span style="color: #808080;"><strong><a href="https://nrasgreatrailrace.wordpress.com/">Great NRAS Rail Race 2</a></strong> </span></span></p> <p><span style="color: #800080;"><span style="color: #808080;">After the wonderful success of my first Rail Race, I'm planning a bigger better one for this year. This will start on Wednesday 8th June 2011. Visit the blog page linked for more information.</span></span></p> <p><span style="color: #800080;"><span style="color: #808080;"> </span><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">Completed! Thank you to those who have donated so far!</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="color: #800080;">&nbsp;</span><br><span style="color: #800080;">Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving &ndash; they&rsquo;ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they&rsquo;ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it&rsquo;s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</span><br><br><span style="color: #800080;">My sincere thanks to everyone who have supported me in my previous fundraising activities, and to anyone who have kindly made a donation. </span></p>