This September, I’m taking on the challenge of completing 550,000 steps throughout the month to raise money for Verity (PMOS UK) and help raise awareness of PMOS/PCOS.

PMOS, formerly known as PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), is a complex hormonal and metabolic condition that affects around 1 in 10 women. Despite how common it is, awareness and understanding of the condition are still far too limited.

A few years ago, after repeated GP appointments, blood tests, ultrasounds, referrals and a lot of frustration, I finally received my own PCOS diagnosis. Like so many others, I spent a long time trying to understand what was happening with my body and feeling as though my symptoms were not always being taken seriously.

PMOS/PCOS can affect people in so many different ways, including irregular or absent periods, insulin resistance, hormonal imbalances, fatigue, brain fog, acne, excess hair growth, difficulties managing weight, fertility challenges, anxiety and low mood. It can also have longer-term implications for metabolic and cardiovascular health.

There is currently no cure, and because symptoms can vary so widely, many people spend years searching for answers before receiving a diagnosis.

That is why I wanted to do something to help.

My goal is to complete 550,000 steps during September — just over 18,000 steps every single day — while raising money for Verity, the UK charity supporting people living with PMOS/PCOS and working to improve awareness, education and understanding of the condition.

Every donation, no matter how small, will mean a huge amount to me and will help support an organisation doing incredibly important work for the PMOS/PCOS community.

And if you’re unable to donate, simply sharing this page or talking about PMOS/PCOS helps raise awareness too.

Thank you so much for supporting me — now for 550,000 steps!