Billy: My story with Ulcerative Colitis started back in 2017. At the time when my symptoms started I didn’t know what was wrong with me. The stomach pains were overwhelming, I was using the toilet up to 20-30 times a day and passing blood a lot. I knew this wasn’t normal so I went to get checked, and after a few investigations and some uncomfortable cameras up the rear end I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis.

I started treatment immediately and for a while my life got a bit better. I still had flare ups but usually kept them under control with large doses of steroids. Over the last few years it seemed the medications I was taking to manage the UC were becoming less effective. I was taking more and more steroids, biologics and infusions which come with some nasty side effects of their own and my general health was at an all time low.

The UC was taking over my life, affecting my music career, my work and my life at home. I didn’t want to leave the house in fear I wouldn’t be close enough or make it to a toilet, I was tired and ill all of the time, I struggled to exercise, at one point I even started to wear adult nappies on stage whilst performing because of the anxiety it caused me.

Eventually I made the life changing decision to have my large intestine removed and to have a permanent stoma.

This was a really big step, but a necessary one - and I am so so glad I did it. My quality of life has improved dramatically and now, after a year of having it, I am now finally getting back to full health and my life and my confidence back.

Ulcerative Colitis is a debilitating disease. It takes you to some really dark places and can really control your life.

My wife and I would love to raise some money for the heroes at Crohn’s & Colitis by taking part in this running challenge, something I never would have been able to do before having my stoma!

Please donate whatever you can as we run 60 miles each over September. This is a real challenge for us both but for a worthy cause. Any support or donation would be greatly appreciated for this charity that means so much to us.