Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page and reading about why I am taking on this challenge.

Both my parents were diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in the 90's and both died, Mum in 2017 and Dad in 2019,  from side effects of the early medication used to treat their arthritis. They both hugely benefited, in the last years of their lives, from new medications that have been developed and the investment that Versus Arthritis made.If I was taking on this challenge I was doing it for this important charity and in memory of my Mum and Dad. Although I’m not sure they would have believed that I would do something like this! 

I took up running 'regularly' in 2022, at 41, realising that I needed to look after my health. I decided to take on the GNR because if arthritis is also coming for me I wanted to raise money for a good cause and if my joints will be knackered in the future then I am determined they are going out in a blaze of glory (going out swinging does not seem the right phrase thinking that I wont be able to move after the run!). 

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.Versus Arthritis invests in breakthrough treatments, the best information and vital support for everyone affected by arthritis. Please sponsor me so that together we can overcome the pain, isolation and fatigue of arthritis.