On Monday the 27th July I will be attempting to run the entire 180 miles of the Hertfordshire Way National Trail and in doing so set the record for the Fastest known time for the route. During the Covid crisis a number of charities have been suffering and I have been looking for a way I can challenge myself and also help a charity I care deeply for.

My attempt will be covered live at 

https://track.trail.live/event/heartsway-fkt?fbclid=IwAR1pBXuO2py0xJAvoIQiwY6THz8Urz7v39hojIwpNquR7mE2kIUb9UJbcFk

I Have Neurofibromatosis Type 1, Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a genetic condition caused by a mutation in one of the genes. NF causes tumourous growths to occur on a sufferer's nervous system. These "fibromas" are generally benign but can cause serious problems if they present in key areas of the nervous system or internal organs. There is also a small chance that a fibroma may develop into cancer. About half of the people who have NF have no family history of the condition, it occurs out of the blue with no-one else in the family affected. Others will have inherited NF from their mother or father. NF varies from one person to another; some people will be mildly affected with very few health problems, others will have serious health problems that mean that daily life is difficult. At this moment in time there is no known cure for the condition and treatment mainly reacts to presenting symptoms.

I was diagnosed with NF type one when i was 12 years old when I had a biopsy on a tumourous growth at the base of my spine. I have to have regular MRI scans to check for any tumours in my brain, spine and internal organs. My NF has resulted in a few major issues so far and 10 years ago had spinal surgery to remove a tumour from the c4-c5 vertibrae that was compressing my spinal cord meaning i had limited function in my left leg and hand. Thankfully the surgery was a success and I regained full function. I have since discovered a passion for running which has lead me to compete in a number of increasingly extreme challenges including setting the FKT for the 122 miles of the Greensand Way with Matt Buck and Ben Whitfield in 2018.

I don't know what the future holds for me with my condition. At the moment I am lucky to be fit and healthy enough to take part in an event like this, and I hope to raise some money for and awareness of a deserving charity whose work is greatly appreciated by those who suffer from NF and their loved ones.

I'm supporting Nerve Tumours UK because their mission means a great deal to me. They provide crucial support to people living with the Neurofibromatoses- the conditons that cause nerve tumours.They are dominant genetic conditions, which means that they can be passed on in families from one generation to the next through genetic inheritance. Similarly, about half of nerve tumours cases recorded have no previous family history of the condition. In other words, it can occur totally “out of the blue”.Please help me bolster their support.Nerve Tumours UK is the only UK charity dedicated to improving the lives of people with Neurofibromatosis types 1 & 2. They provide support and information to NF patients, and have a network of specialist medical advisors who operate from key centres throughout the UK.  

Please give what you can, and share this page with others and hopefully we can help Nerve Tumours UK continue their amazing work.