I have been very lucky to be selected to run in the London Marathon 2019 and decided I want to make the most of the opportunity by running on behalf of a charity. 

The charity I have chosen to run on behalf of is Endometriosis UK. 

The reason for choosing this charity is that my wife was diagnosed with Endometriosis in 2016 after suffering symptoms since she was about 14 years old.

What is Endometriosis? - Its a condition where the lining of the womb grows outwith the uterus and this tissue bleeds during a normal menstrual cycle however the blood has no where to escape. It's a chronic and debilitating condition that causes painful or heavy periods. It may also lead to infertility, fatigue, bowel and bladder problems.  It is thought about 1 in 10 women suffer from the condition but it is still not as well publicised as it should be.  Women with the condition are being misdiagnosed and most are still fighting for proper treatment.  

My wife, Dominique, received her diagnosis in October 2016  after a GP she saw for pain relief began to "join the dots" regarding various issues and symptoms that had occurred over the years.  The only way to diagnose Endometriosis is through laparoscopic surgery and if it is found it can be treated via laser or excision. 

In 2016 Dominique had her Endometriosis treated via laser but by March 2017 her pain had returned and became worse than before. She underwent a further surgery in January 2018 and was fortunate enough to have this done by an Endometriosis specialist.  The specialist excised everything he could and to this day the surgery seems to have been a success and her pain and symptoms have greatly improved. 

I am looking to raise approximately £1000 to help Endometriosis UK as they receive minimal funding and are financed almost entirely through donations and annual membership subscriptions. 

More information about the charity and their work can be found at www.endometriosis-uk.org

I thank you in advance for your support and any donation you are able to make. 

PS watch out for me on Sun 28th April on the TV wearing the Endometriosis UK running vest.