Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I was diagnosed with Addison's Disease in March 2019. It is a rare endocrine condition where the adrenal glands cease to function, so that your body no longer produces enough of certain essential hormones, known as steroid hormones. Often Addison's is caused by the body’s immune system making a mistake and attacking and destroying the cells of the adrenal glands in error. This type of Addison’s is called autoimmune Addison’s and is what I live with. It affects approximately 1 in 10,000 people, which makes it roughly 300 times rarer than diabetes.

I am raising funds for Addison's Disease Self-Help Group because it is at the forefront of medical research into Addison's Disease. Funds raised will aid medical researchers working in this important, but sometimes overlooked, field of endocrine research.

On May 1st I am 50. I have arrived at menopause and live with Addison's, BUT this does not define me and it doesn't need to define you either! I am going to do 50 challenges during the 12 months to 1 May 2024 ranging from; running a Marathon, swimming a mile, learning to 'rip stick', standing whilst surfing, night swimming, walking the Pembrokeshire Coast path and even knitting a jumper and after the 12 months I will organise a ball to signify the end. I urge you to join me on my journey and try something new, let's do this!

My aim is to raise much needed funds, to show that illness or time of life does not need to be a hindrance and ultimately I want to have fun.

I will blog about each challenge and how successful I have been.

Bring it on !