Our Thank You note to our supporters is here and and Hannah's Story is shown further down the page.

WE DID IT!!

Over £1650 raised.

THAT. IS. AMAZING. 

I am feeling the physical effects of the run and always knew the post event pain management would be a focus for the next few weeks to come but what is in the forefront of my mind right now is the generosity both financially with donations and with sharing your love, your kindness, the polite questioning, the care, the intrigue, the want to learn more about my condition and the masses of support you have given me too. 

THAT. IS. AMAZING. 

I cannot put the words THANK YOU into bigger bolder letters but imagine I’m saying them as loud as I can whilst my face beaming with the biggest smile I can have.  

I had an eclectic group of supporters at our finish line in Greenwich Park on Sunday, colleagues from work including my little puppy friend, P on her bike with hubby and sister in tow, shout out to Luke who also ran the half with his littlen in a buggy and smashed an awesome time, what an inspiration! My little godson, Baby friends, Glastonbury friends, my old rugby
team friends and the one person I could hug at the end (due to being in my bubble) my mother! I had my little best friend niece Evelyn Skye at home with my brother and sister-in-law wearing the bright orange NASS supporter’s t-shirts all day and cheering me on from afar. I thank you all.

But the biggest thanks go to the two supporters who were by my side from the train journey to Victoria and every step we took from there to our finish line in Greenwich Park. Nicola (Jo’s sister) I’ve run with at race events over the past 10 years. She is always smiling, has a great positive aura and is always encouraging to those around her. She did me a favour of talking
to Jo during our run as I was so focused on putting one foot in front of another, I was at times speechless. As usual I was not wanting to show my struggle but Nic slowed down for me and encouraged me onwards. 

And Jo, what can I say, from the old days of running around the
rugby pitch I knew you had my back then (pun intended) and I knew you had my back literally when you silently helped me out of chairs in public when you knew I was in too much pain to move myself, you going to the bar on nights out when you knew I couldn’t stand for too long in a queue, ignoring grief from friends for ordering that short cab ride somewhere because I couldn’t walk far, you always being there even when I didn’t appreciate it (I’m not perfect). I always found it difficult being so young with such a sudden onset of the condition. When I was in denial, you encouraged me to accept my consultant’s advice to take up the mobility changing injection medication I’m on now and for encouraging me to tell my story to everyone I know. Due to modern medicine, I ran 13.1 miles this weekend and I don’t think I could have done it without my wonderful supportive friend who helped me achieve that.

THAT. IS. AMAZING.

Much Love Han xx

Hannah's story:

You

 may not know me but if you do you may not know I have a spine condition called Ankylosing Spondylitis, its invisible to the outside world but I live with it physically and mentally each and every day. AS is a painful, progressive form of inflammatory arthritis. It mainly affects the spine but can also affect other joints, tendons and ligaments.

After years of physio attempting to treat what was thought to be a rugby injury, medical staff prodding and poking me and attempted pain relief, I was finally diagnosed in 2015. It's been a journey but after the last 5 years of close management, multiple changes to my lifestyle, my diet, varying therapies and medications, physio and hydrotherapy to name a few, I can lead as close to a normal life as before.

The NASS charity is one close to my heart. The work they do has heavily supported me, made me feel normal and the community of people, their stories and their help has been priceless.

On 11 April 2021 I am pledging to run 13.1 miles and I ask that you pledge your support to me and to the charity by donating funds. Don't go crazy, this won't be the last charity appeal I send you this year!! If 200 of you wonderful people donate the cost of a take away coffee (£2.50) to NASS I'll hit my fundraising target of £500. Hey if you really want to go nuts then double it to £5.00 but no more please. Can we together raise £1,000 for this event alone?!

Well there it is, out in the open. It has taken me some time to come to terms with my condition and to be confident in telling my story. Why now? Last year NASS got me through one of the toughest years both physically and mentally and I want to give back. I want to educate others to understand my condition as the invisible ones of course go unnoticed. I also want to challenge myself and my body to achieve a half marathon as I did prior to this underlying condition showing its face. My best friend Jo Cousins is also pledging to run the Royal parks half for NASS, ahead of me in speed no doubt but supporting my aim all the same. She has been a huge support to me since our days of playing rugby union together and has encouraged me to tell my story for years so this is also for you Jo!

It won't be easy as for me as walking let alone running is sometimes too painful to do especially in these cold winter months. I've reverted to running 5kms as that is a manageable distance along with other fitness to reduce any flare ups.

NASS is the only charity in the UK dedicated to transforming axial SpA (AS) care in the UK. Every penny I raise from this challenge will help provide specialist support, advice and the most up-to-date information to empower people with axial SpA (AS) to manage their condition. 

Thank you in advance for donating the cost of your morning coffee to a fantastic cause. 

Much love
Hannah & Jo xx