Early one morning in year 2001, I woke up in bed with searing pain in my spine and hips,  shooting pains down both my legs and covered in sweat.  I couldn't move. I couldn't sit up or roll over.  I couldn't even get out of bed to go to the toilet!  Eventually, I ended up falling out of bed, dragged myself into the hall and screamed for my flatmate to help me.

This was my introduction to Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS).  Quite possibly the worst day of my life but 8 years later and thanks to modern medication,  a massively supportive family and girlfriend, life is relatively normal. 

Currently there is no cure for AS and it is more common than you think, affecting 1 in 200 men and 1 in 500 women in the UK.  So it is highly likely that someone you know will have it.

NASS(National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society) provides massive support for anyone suffering from this disease which is why I am running the ROYAL PARKS HALF MARATHON to raise £1000 for them.

So, if I can get up 4 times a week for several months, train with a reconstructed knee and persistant back pain...  that must be worth a Shekel or two of your Sponsorship money!