On 11th April 2027, I’m running the Coventry Half Marathon in aid of Colostomy UK. Anyone who knew me eighteen months ago would assume this is an elaborate practical joke, but after 21 years of living with a stoma, losing nearly 45kg, and then accidentally falling in love with running: here I am.

In February 2006, aged 10, I had surgery to form a permanent colostomy after years of baffling doctors with my dodgy bowels and their painful and unpleasant symptoms! I was discharged on 13th February—my brother’s 8th birthday—with a stoma bag and zero official diagnosis for my symptoms.

Growing up with a bag glued to your stomach left some emotional baggage, and I spent years neglecting my health, eventually reaching a weight of 134kg. After a major lifestyle reset triggered by the removal of my gallbladder—not to mention the endless patience of my incredible wife, who has cheered on every tiny step and coaxed me through a truly disastrous first 2km run—I brought my weight down to 89kg and discovered that running is the best way to clear my head.

To build up to Coventry, I’ve set myself a series of challenges to support important causes for bowel and mental health:

* September 2026: Crohn’s & Colitis UK Run60 (~96.5 km) - Target: £150 - https://crohns-colitis-uk.sync.giving/fr/cr-6q0r168m873xj?currentTab=feed

* October 2026: Southampton 10 km | Mind Run 90 Miles (~145 km) - Target: £200 - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/joshwhitemind | CALM Zone Run 100 Miles (~160 km) - Target: £120 - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/joshwhitecalm

* January 2027: Longleat 10 km

* April 2027: Coventry Half Marathon (21.1 km) for Colostomy UK — Target: £500

Fundraising for four charities at once might look ambitious, but I live by the mantra that doing something, however small, is better than doing nothing at all. Giving just £1 means they will have £1 more than they had yesterday.

My total goal is £970.

Colostomy UK does brilliant work supporting the 200,000+ people in the UK living with a stoma through their 24/7 helpline, hospital packs, and tackling taboos and stigma surrounding colostomies.

I’m sharing the unfiltered runs and training updates over on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@ajoshjackwhite?_r=1&_t=ZN-99W5VD89s1e. If you can spare a few quid to back Colostomy UK here, or any of the other charities linked above, it would mean the world.

Every step is for someone who feels they’ve run out of options.

Right now, Mind’s phone lines are the busiest they’ve ever been. In the UK 1 in 4 of us will face a mental health problem this year, yet too many still wait in silence. Mind is often their only lifeline — on the phone, in local communities, and fighting for change so no one is left behind.

Your donation will ensure that information and support is available for everyone — on Mind's website, the helplines they run and throughout their online community, Side by Side.

Thank you 💙