Our niece Alex Charlesworth (now Wickenden!) lives with Pulmonary Hypertension (PH), which is rare, serious and not completely understood. It has a huge impact on her life, from the medication that is pumped into her body 24 hours a day to being told at 29 that she cannot have children, and that the average life expectancy from diagnosis is 5-7 years. Alex is now 34. She's on the only current treatment available for her stage of PH, and continues to deal with very unpleasant side effects while still being rushed to hospital when her pump system intermittently fails for no apparent reason. After getting married in April 2024, she's spent the time since battling with health problems when she should have been enjoying her first year of married bliss. Having said this, she still works as a teacher full time, she's on the dancefloor at every party, and she keeps Sean and her very lively dog Koba in check. She's doing her best to keep living her best life, but though she puts on a very brave face we all know how hard it is for her.

PHA UK is dedicated to reducing the burden that puts on people like Alex through support, advice, information and advocacy. They raise awareness and fund research to provide better treatments, with the hope of one day finding a cure for this devastating disease. The PHA UK receives no government funding, so every penny donated plays a vital role in helping them support people to live better lives with PH.

On Saturday 22nd March, Gary, me, and our nephews Sean (Alex's husband), Steve and Greg will be taking part in the Fortitude Ultra 10 hour endurance race, starting a 3, 4, or 5 mile loop on the hour every hour for 10 hours. If we don't get back to the line for the start of the next hour we get kicked out of the race (and we're not going to let that happen!). So we'll be running between 30 and 50 miles each. Please donate, and wish for good weather for us!