Before I begin, I want to say a huge thank you to my wife and 3 sons, I count myself as extremely lucky and fortunate to have your unconditional love and support, thank you x

In 1996 I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. I was 13, an age where life as a teenager was already confusing, let alone having a bowel condition added to the mix. I was scared, embarrassed and in a great deal of pain. I kept my illness hidden from my friends, after all how do you tell someone that you bleed every time you poo. There were occasions when I struggled to hide what was going on, such as the length of time I took when going to the toilet. I was frequently humiliated and bullied as a result, mocked with the usual clichés such as "we were going to send out a search party for you!"

Additional symptoms such as nerve pain and joint pain severely limited my mobility. The frequent hospital appointments, treatments, procedures, reduced my social life to almost non existent. I felt isolated and too crestfallen to explain to my friends what was happening. The fact that my parents were so supportive was a great source of comfort.

In 2009 I was diagnosed with Crohn's. I was struggling with frequent flare ups which resulted in my wife and I swapping roles in 2013, where I became a stay at home dad, whilst she returned to work. This decision proved to be one of the best decisions we have ever made, because it allowed me to access new medication, administered monthly via IV pump, which has improved my health considerably.

What followed was 7 successful years of improved symptoms and my condition becoming more manageable.

I now write poems. I've been writing poetry since my mum died in 2019. It helps me to focus and channel my thoughts and feelings. I am no longer embarrassed about my condition. As a result I am ready to proudly tell the world that I have Crohn's. My goal is to raise awareness, highlight the importance of an early diagnosis, which is the central theme for Crohn's and colitis week this year, and raise funds for this amazing charity.

During the next couple of weeks I will be writing and performing in public 7 poems. 1 poem each day in a public setting, some will be when I am out and about on a walk, others will be at open mic events. I hope to keep a video diary each day. If I am I'll at any point, I will catch up as soon as I am better, I aim to complete my challenge no matter how long it takes. The reason for the challenge being public? To put it simply, I am not ashamed or embarrassed anymore, and I want to help raise awareness for what I know can be a debilitating condition.

I know times are difficult, so please only donate what you can afford. Alternatively, simply share my story, any awareness raised is a step towards a better understanding of this invisible illness. Thank you.

A message from Crohn's and colitis UK:

We’re the UK’s leading charity for Crohn’s and Colitis.

Right now, 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.

Because of the stigma and misunderstanding surrounding these diseases, thousands of people are suffering in silence.

But they’re not alone.

We’re 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.