Almost five years ago, my wife Sarah collapsed unexpectedly whilst getting ready for work in the morning.  She was suddenly scarcely able to lift her arms and could only walk a couple of steps before becoming exhausted and breathless.  Life changed overnight.  After 6 months of mystery and many tests, she was finally diagnosed with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, a very rare, incurable heart and lung condition. At the hardest point in our lives, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) were a lifeline.  They immediately sent us booklets, DVDs and guides to help us to understand the disease and learn how to manage it.  As Sarah got stronger, the PHA were there to introduce us to other people with the condition so we didn't feel so isolated.  Over the past five years, the PHA UK have been by our sides as we've learnt to live and cope with her illness.  They have been a great help to us.  

Sadly Sarah's condition has now progressed significantly- she uses oxygen whenever she does any activity, and relies on a mobility scooter.  As there are no further medicines to help her, she is on the waiting list to hopefully receive a double lung transplant.  More research is desperately needed, so further medicines can be developed.  The PHA UK also fund research into Pulmonary Hypertension, in the hope that soon there will be a cure for this devastating disease.  Even if the cure doesn't come in time for Sarah, we hope for a future where no one else suffers from this terminal condition.  

So between January 14th - 20th 2018, I will be competing in my hardest challenge yet, in the hope of raising some vital funds for the PHA UK.  I will be attempting to run the entire length of the Pennine Way (268 miles) non-stop... during the brutal British winter.  I'll be carrying everything on my back, sleeping by the track, and cooking in the hills.  This is way more than an ultra-marathon.... 'The Spine Race' is officially Britain's Most Brutal Race.  Please please support my challenge, so together we can find a cure for Pulmonary Hypertension.   

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please give generously to help the PHA continue to support people like it has supported us, to help increase awareness of PH, and to find a cure.  My employer, Barclays, has agreed to match every penny raised for this cause (up to £1000).

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

For more information about the 268 mile run, go to:

https://thespinerace.com/events/2018/1/14/montane-spine-race-5gsj5-86ezg

Thank you.