I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2008 after being ill for most of 2007 spending Christmas and  New Year in hospital after losing over 3 stone in weight. Crohn's is an autoimmune disease. Your own immune system attacks anywhere in your digestive tract , causing ulceration , bleeding , fistulas , which in turn leads to sickness , diarrhoea and weight loss. I am controlled by medication but over 70% of sufferers end up having an operation to remove diseased and damaged bowel , often leading to a stoma and bag. Even my medication has its own damaging side effects and I have to have blood tests every three months to monitor these effects. At preset my condition is chronic, which means it is life long and there is no cure.

  I am very passionate about raising awareness and funds for Cure Crohn's and Colitis because 100% of monies raised goes into research.Every single person at the charity is a volunteer and no one takes a wage.