Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I did a couple of virtual Kiltwalks during the pandemic. I've decided to do another one this year, walking 14miles from Clydebank to Balloch. The longest I've done before is 12miles.

It will help my mental health, getting me out there training and raising funds for HAE UK who support patients with HAE. This is a hereditary condition that flared up 38yrs ago!! It will help focus my mind and give me a purpose.

Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) is a rare but potentially life-threatening inherited condition. HAE symptoms include episodes of oedema (swelling) in various body parts including the hands, feet, face and airway. In addition, patients often have bouts of excruciating abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting which is caused by swelling in the intestinal wall. Airway swelling is particularly dangerous and can lead to death by asphyxiation.

HAE patients frequently spend a long time before they are correctly diagnosed. They are often referred to allergy departments, yet their swellings will not respond to antihistamines or steroids. Some patients with abdominal swelling are subjected to unnecessary exploratory procedures, such as appendectomies or bowel surgery; some are even considered to have psychiatric problems (it is no coincidence that Hereditary Angioedema used to be called ‘Angio-Neurotic Oedema’). One of the diagnostic features is family history; prior to the condition being identified, about 30% of patients died from lack of treatment.

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