I am joining #TeamNASS to run the Edinburgh Marathon to help transform the diagnosis, treatment and care of people with axial SpA, or Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), a debilitating form of chronic, autoimmune inflammatory arthritis.

As many of you know, axial SpA has greatly impacted our family. My wife's late father, Robin, had a very severe, advanced case. Unfortunately, Alice has now also been diagnosed with the condition.

Many people with axial SpA, including Alice, outwardly appear healthy, while suffering internally from incredibly painful muscularskeletal symptoms, especially during flare-ups that can last from a few hours to several days or weeks.

In the past, Alice and I have run a few half-marathons together (she even ran one to raise money for NASS in her father's memory in 2018!), but sadly her condition has made vigorous exercise like long distance running too painful. So, this time I'm running a full marathon, a half for each of us, in order to raise money and awareness for NASS.

Any money that you could kindly contribute towards this worthwhile cause can really make a difference for a smaller charity like NASS.