Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. As many of you know I am not exactly a runner, but I will be tackling the London Marathon on the 23rd April to raise vital funds for Versus Arthritis!

Millions of people wake up with arthritis every morning and face the day in pain, without the support and recognition they deserve. Arthritis attacks what it means to live and people with arthritis are often left to manage alone.

This is a cause very close to my heart as arthritis has had an impact on many of my family members. This condition has had an especially traumatic impact upon one family member who has suffered from debilitating rheumatoid arthritis since the age of 40 (now 86!).

(UPDATE) Unfortunately over Christmas we lost the family member I am predominantly running the marathon for - although this very sad news was a shock to us all, it has motivated me even more to keep on running and raise as much money as possible for this great cause. It is reassuring to know that the money I have raised so far - and will be raising up to marathon day - will be helping people like her who have suffered with arthritis for most of their lives.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, which means it's caused by the immune system attacking healthy body tissue. The exact cause is unknown and therefore, this condition often remains un-treatable with pain relief medication the only available option. 

Versus Arthritis invests in breakthrough treatments, the best information and vital support for everyone affected by arthritis - this is why I am running the London Marathon 2023.

Please sponsor me so that together we can overcome the pain, isolation and fatigue of arthritis.