Thanks for stopping by! 

On April 2nd 2023, I'm running the Brighton Marathon. 26.6 miles of sunburn, sweat, sore legs and sensitive, if not bleeding, nipples (see cover photo... )

I am putting myself through this to raise money for MS Together, a charity dedicated to providing support, advice and community for young people with MS. When I was diagnosed, the only support systems I could find were incredibly valuable forums, however they were mainly all focussed on the physical challenges awaiting me in later life, with a focus on those who have had the condition for some time. 

As such, the world felt a bit lonely, whilst family and friends are caring and compassionate, I really wanted to be able to discuss my situation and emotions with people who understood through personal experience what it can feel like to be diagnosed with MS, at a similar time in life to me. MS Together provided for me, initially online and then in person, a loving community of people also with MS. Having this community has made my journey with the condition so much more manageable than it would have been without the group.

As MS Together has grown, so too it's ambitions have grown and in 2022 it became a registered charity. MS Together will continue to provide essential support for young people with MS, both those newly diagnosed and those further into their journey. It will improve the diagnosis process for young people through partnership with healthcare professionals and other charities. They will also be creating a 1-1 support system for anybody who needs it.

The impact MS Together had on my mental state once I found the community completely changed the way I felt about my diagnosis. I recently have had to have a medication change, and I relied once again on the group for advice and support through a stressful and worrying time. I know I will rely on the community again in the future. 

I want more newly diagnosed young people with MS to find the group, to feel the support and sense of belonging I have felt, and raising funds to do this is really important to me.

All of this is why I'm putting myself through the marathon...and whatever damage is done to my poor nipples.

Thanks for reading, apologies for all the chat about nipples but for real, they're sensitive which I found out when completing a half marathon in 2021! I promise to never mention my nipples again, if you'd be kind enough to sponsor me for this, to allow MS Together to continue their amazing work.