Earlier this year, my Mum was diagnosed with PMR and GCA. None of us had ever heard of this condition. It is painful, exhausting and debilitating and the only current treatment is high doses of steroids which bring their own effects. It is true to say that because this condition generally affects older people, and mostly women, there has been very little research into the condition.

This is my third Ullswater end to end swim and I would like to raise money for the PMRGCAuk charity to ensure that people like my Mum can find the information and support they need and also to support further research into this condition.

All donations very gratefully received.

Here's a brief overview of the condition:

Perhaps the most frightening feature of PMR (polymyalgia rheumatica) is the sudden onset of severe and often incapacitating stiffness affecting back, shoulders, pelvic girdle and legs.

When diagnosed with PMR patients learn that the illness is likely to last for at least a couple of years, and steroids are the only effective treatment.

GCA (giant cell arteritis) can be equally frightening, with sudden and severe headaches and the possibility of severe visual loss. For those with cataracts, there is a double effect - cataract surgery can't take place because of the steroids suppressing the immune system, but the steroids 'feed' the cateracts.

PMR and GCA are relatively ‘unheard of’ in the general community and those diagnosed usually know of no-one else suffering from it.