After being diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis at age 15, I have had a constant struggle with living a full and active life. Letting go of certain career goals (anyone in Film & TV can attest to the long hours), losing fitness due to pain and fatigue and often feeling a little bit isolated from those my age who don’t have to plan every activity around their body's restrictions. So as a pre-30th treat to myself and body, I am throwing myself out of a plane.

There is a lot of stigma surrounding these diseases, often being disregarded as having a “tummy ache” and not fully getting the support for fatigue and all the other symptoms that come with the diseases themselves and often the medication used to treat them.

Studies have shown the gut is one of the most important parts of our body's general function and a balanced gut can heavily affect your central nervous system; causing hormonal imbalances, joint pain, fatigue, anxiety and depression. However, there is still little support and workplace protection for those suffering.

Crohn’s and Colitis UK are the UK’s leading charity working to improve diagnosis and treatment, and to fund research into a cure; to raise awareness and to give people hope, comfort and confidence to live freer, fuller lives.

I appreciate times are tough but anything you can spare will go a long way! Even if it’s 10 minutes of your time to learn more about Crohn’s and Colitis. An estimated 500,000 people in the UK are living with a lifelong disease that many people have never heard of. And the real number could be almost double that. So please, share what you can and always check in on yourself and others.

Lots of love,

Jo