Colostomy UK is a national charity that offers support and advice to people with stomas and to their families, carers and friends. Colostomy UK also campaigns and acts as advocates for ostomates on the many issues they face going about their daily lives. We want hidden conditions to be understood and accepted by all. Our vision is of communities in which everyone is empowered to reach their potential.

Hi everyone, my name is Erin and I, alongside a lovely group of friends will be running the Bristol 10k in October 2025 for Colostomy UK.

In 2023 my Fianće Owen was diagnosed with a condition called Ulcerative Colitis, a bowl disease that causes inflammation of the large intestine. At the time, Owen was able to keep this under control with steroids and we thought nothing of it. In December 2024, Owen’s colitis began to flare up again, but this time very badly, lots of appointments and steroids but nothing was working, but we kept in contact with the IBD nurses to let them know what was happening. This meant that as time went on, Owen was going to the loo from 10-20 times a day, and by April was going up to 25 times a day, whilst trying to work in a important job too, this meant we had to limit where we went out, and that day to day life was painful and miserable for Owen. This came alongside excruciating pain and mental health complications like anxiety and depression.

In April after experiencing worsening pain Owen was admitted to hospital. This was supposed to be for 3-5 days for infusions, but this actually ending up being 12 nights. After undergoing a CT scan it was shown that the inflammation of the large intestine was so bad it was leaking and slowly poisoning him. He was rushed in for an emergency surgery, which if he didn’t have then, could’ve killed him. A failed keyhole surgery due to extreme inflammation meant Owen had to be cut open for his large intestine to be removed. Owen now has a permanent stoma bag and had an Ileostomy surgery. This is something we never expected to happen, it has been a traumatic process, but luckily Owen is positive and is dealing so well with his new stoma, but it’s a very long road for recovery and there’s lots of adjustments to our new life.

Now, I’m not a runner, but I want to set myself the challenge to do this for myself, Owen and the amazing Colostomy Uk who do amazing things for people with Stomas etc.

Any amount is deeply appreciated, thank you so much for reading!

Erin & Owen xx