1 in 2 of us will experience a urology condition in our lives.

The Urology Foundation is the only UK charity dedicated to fighting all urology diseases. They are committed to finding new treatments and cures for all those with urology diseases, improving clinical practice and driving change based on research outcomes.

Some may know i have lived the majority of my life with bladder and bowel issues. This started in my teenage years. My bladder and bowel control started to cause major issues in everyday life in the final years of secondary school. Following some investigations with the hospital i was referred to the National Hospital and Middlesex Hospital in London. A combined effort of my consultants Mr Powell and Mr Worth they discovered a fluid sack in my spine putting pressure on my spinal cord. My urological problem was now neurological as well.The pressure had sadly damaged my nerves controlling urological functions and other lower level things. The hospital operated very quickly and installed a drainage shunt to relive the pressure on the cords. After a few years of trying medications and hoping for nerve regeneration had not helped my quality of life with the bladder and bowel. Next step was a urology surgeon named Mr Worth. He offered to reconstruct my bladder with part of my bowel and also install a method of bowel control called the Malone procedure. This meant the bladder would only operate with catheter in the future and my bowel would need to be manually operated by means of an enima and wash out two or three times a week. This was a major change and turning point in my life. It was and is a huge decision for me and with the support of family and friends and my team of urologists the date was set. Daphne taught me to catheterize in advance of the surgery. Jane talked me through the recovery and then learning to operate the Malone and the team of nurses kept my spirits up.

Fast forward 35 years and we are all a lot older. I am now cared for by the same two hospitals in London that help maintain me and keep me going. I cannot thank them enough for giving me my confidence and ability to lead an almost normal life.

Hence i am going to try and give a little back with the help of Rachel my rock. We are joining others in Tanzania in October to take on a cycling challenge to raise money and awareness for The Urology Foundation. Such a great cause and in my experience an unspoken issue because no one likes to talk about wee and poo. When you take a look at the work they do it is hugely important. Take a look at the website www.theurologyfoundation.org and follow TUF on socials. It is not purely for financial needs it is a lot about awareness as well for the foundation.

If your still with me and have not moved on it would be amazing if you could support us in raising some money and awareness.

Thank you Matt and Rachel