Hello and thank you for taking the time to visit my Just Giving page and thank you for supporting me in my bid to run my first (and most likely my last) half marathon!

To give me the boost I need to make the distance, I have decided to run in support of Versus Arthritis. 

Arthritis is a disease I have witnessed for most of my life.  My Dad, Jim Merriott, was diagnosed with chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in 1971 at the age of 30.  Just a couple of years later, his condition resulted in him having to give up his career in the London Fire Brigade.  In those days there was very little treatment available and Dad was in tremendous pain 24 hours a day. 

Dad’s life greatly improved in 1976 when he was fortunate enough to be referred to a newly appointed Consultant Rheumatologist, Dr Geoffrey Clark.  On that first meeting Dr Clark promised him two things.  Firstly, “you’ll not suffer as much pain as you have been” and secondly, “I can do so much to help your mobility”.  

Unfortunately those early years before his treatment began did irreversible damage to Dad’s joints but from that first meeting with Dr Clark his quality of life improved greatly.  Now at the age of 78 and despite the deformity of his hands and fingers, he is able to pick up a paintbrush and paint the most wonderful watercolour paintings.  A great hero of Dad’s is the impressionist artist Renoir who also suffered severely from RA.  Dad often jokes that he has at least one thing in common with that great artist!

Dad has experienced most of the treatments available for RA but eventually the body becomes tolerant of the drugs used and they become ineffective and a new treatment is required.  So there is still much research and work needed in the bid to fight this disease, which affects people of all ages, including young children.  

Please help the vital work that Versus Arthritis do by sponsoring me to drag my old carcass around the streets of London.

Thank you.

Julie