Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I'm running the London Marathon for the National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease (NACC).

Crohn's and Colitis UK aim to improve life for everyone affected by Inflammatory Bowel Disease. About 250,000 are affected by these conditions in the UK.

My training has started by taking part in MudRunner at Eastnor Castle on the 17-10-11, this is a 7 mile cross country event that is really quite a challenge. 

Below are a few words from my friend Dave which explain why I have chosen to support this charity :

I was first diagnosed with Chrohns disease in August 2007, after 9 months of misdiagnosis and weight loss of over 4 stone. The extent of Chrohns that had developed was significant, so i was scheduled for an operation in the October where they removed a section of the small bowel. Recovery was positive, and whilst i was advised it would be physically exhausting, i was able to start playing football again at the weekends because i did not want the Chrohns to prevent me from doing what i loved, even though physical recovery after the matches did take longer than usual. I have twin girls who keep me extremely busy and active, and inspire me on a day to day basis to manage my pain both psychologically and physically, helping me to lead as normal a life as possible.

 

Unfortunately 18 months ago my symptoms worsened, many methods of pain management were tried, but with no success. Over the last 12 months the Chrohns, together with the impact the first operation had on my body has meant that i have been in considerable pain. I am scheduled to have another operation on the 3rd December for the surgeon to investigate where the Chrohns has developed further and to identify how best to manage the Chrohns that is apparent.

Throughout all of this, i try to maintain a positive approach to life, i still work hard and, whilst i have resigned myself to the fact that i cannot play football at the weekends, i am certainly kept active by my daughters. Chrohns, as many other diseases is not visible, so the internal pain that you have to live with on a daily basis goes unnoticed by most, however, the actual reality of living with the disease is extremely uncomfortable. I, like many others, live with this disease everyday and would like to thank Matt for running the marathon and raising much needed funds for the nacc, because, as yet there is no cure so any money raised that can help with the research into this disease can only help to enrich the lives of those who suffer.

 

 

 

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