Thank you so much for visiting our page! We're raising money for Mast Cell Action and are so grateful for any pounds and pennies you're able to donate.

This is a charity close to both of our hearts. By sheer coincidence, we both suffer from spontaneous allergic conditions related to mast cells (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome for Sophie, Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria and Angioedema for Prash). Given how rare these conditions are, Prash's specialist assumed we'd met at a conference!

Mast cells, a type of blood cell, play an important role in the body's immune system. Mast cells react to foreign bodies and injury by releasing a variety of potent chemical mediators, such as histamine, when activated. In a healthy person these chemicals will act beneficially to protect and heal the body, but in a person with one of our conditions, these same chemicals are inappropriately triggered (triggers for us can include an extensive variety of foods, exercise, stress and loud noise). Once triggered, these chemicals have a negative impact on the body - ranging from skin rashes to serious illness.

While these conditions can have life-debilitating implications, sadly they're yet to be fully recognised by the NHS. As such, many GPs refuse to prescribe the required medication, while waiting times for NHS specialists can take over a year. We feel incredibly grateful and privileged that we were both able to afford private treatment, but it should not be this way.

We are raising awareness of these conditions, and money for Mast Cell Action, so that those less fortunate than us might one day get the treatment they need from the NHS, from day one of their or their loved ones' suffering.

For Sophie, 10 years on from first falling ill and then not being able to even stand up for several years, this hike represents a massive step in her journey back to a more normal life. It also comes 5 years after her last major fundraising effort, when she shaved her head and raised £7.5K (thanks to many of you generous people!).

For Prash, this represents a moment to take stock after receiving his diagnosis this year, and begin creating positives from what has been a tough physical, mental, and emotional adjustment period.

Thank you all for your support!