In memory of Ann Cane (Bev's mum) who sadly died of Pulmonary Fibrosis in February of last year, we are completing four challenges over 12 months to help raise money and awareness of lung diseases in particular Pulmonary Fibrosis

****BEV WILL ALSO BE RUNNING THE LONDON MARATHON 2018!!!!*******

RIDE IT! -     90 km cycle ride from London to Brighton
SWIM IT! -   5 km continuous swim                                                                    WALK IT! -  113 km coastal walk around the Isle of Wight
RUN IT! -     Great North Run Half Marathon 13.1 miles

BEV'S STORY

My mother sadly passed away in February 2017 from Pulmonary Fibrosis - a rare and serious disease that very few people have heard of. Most cases of fibrosis have no known cause and at present there is sadly no cure.  It is a horrible disease that overtime causes scarring of the lungs which makes it harder to breath resulting in patients needing oxygen until eventually even the most basic of tasks become a struggle. To watch my healthy, fit and active mum deteriorate in such a way was heart-breaking.  She was brave and did her best to fight the disease but they were unable to halt its relentless progression.  It is a disease that isn't given a great deal of press but still desperately needs more research for treatments and possible cures as well as funds to support those living with this debilitating illness.

In memory of mum, I am trying to raise as much money as possible to donate to the British Lung Foundation who carry out a lot of work, research and support in this field. For more information on pulmonary fibrosis please visit the link below.

www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/pulmonary-fibrosis

ANNA'S STORY

If you have ever walked up too many steps too quick, or have had a bad bout of flu you will know the feeling of not being able to breathe as well as you usually can. Now imagine that feeling for everyday for the rest of your life. That is how many people with lung disease feel on a daily basis or they live in the fear of having an asthma attack..The smallest breath is an uphill struggle for many of the 10,000 people in  the UK who are newly diagnosed with a lung disease each week.



For over 20 years, I have been fortunate to have a job I love - supporting people with lung disease and their families. In that time I have had to watch many courageous people struggle and fight to catch their breath; those with cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, TB and many other diseases that affect the lungs. 

Our knowledge, understanding and strategies to diagnose and manage lung diseases has advanced over the years, but still there is so much to learn and research to help those affected and to find ways to prevent the disease from developing and progressing. 

It is therefore so important to raise awareness and raise funds to help people with lung disease. Its time for things to change. Bev's story is sadly too similar for too many others. This is why we are raising money for the British Lung Foundation (BLF). The work the BLF does makes a real difference to people affected by lung disease, supporting those affected and their families, as well as advancing our knowledge through funding research, raising awareness, and championing campaigns to make policy changes that affect lung health and improve services and care for people living with lung conditions.

If you feel like you can donate big or small we would be so grateful as the money will be going to a charity that helps so many.