Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

In March 2017 I will be running the Stafford Half Marathon in support of the Ileostomy & Internal Pouch Support Group. I've chosen this particular charity because of the support they have provided my family and I after my Mum had an external pouch fitted in 2015 having suffered from Ulcerative Colitis for 25 years. 

The charity supported my Mum in providing a friendly face to talk to in the build to the procedure and still today as she continues to gain normality after the life changing procedure. The fear of how her life would be affected after the operation was a scary time for the whole family as there was no guarantee that the operation would be a success. 

IA has now been a registered chairty for 60 years helping people like my mum return to a fully active and normal life as soon as possible, whilst also coordinating research into ways of improving the quality of life with an ileostomy or pouch, but also into the illnesses which lead to these operations. 

In raising funds for IA I hope to not only help support the charity, but also help raise awareness, particularly to females and young people who are especially body conscious, about how positive life can be living with a pouch. My Mum's life has changed dramatically for the better since the operation despite all our initial fears, and the positive outlook wouldn't have been possible without the support of IA in understanding that support and advice is available whenever it is needed. 

On a personal note, I've never run this distance before and despite being quite a keen runner, this is a massive ask and I would really appreciate your support for this charity. 

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