Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis

My Story!

Firstly, thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. My story started what seems like just a few years ago when Dad got the diagnosis that he, like his mother and sister developed Pulmonary Fibrosis. 

Pulmonary Fibrosis is a chronic condition in which the lung tissue becomes thickened, stiff and scarred over a period of time ultimately reducing the elasticity of the lungs. As a result, sufferers lose their ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream and so the brain and other organs don't get the oxygen that they need. This scarring becomes progressively worse, making breathing difficult.

Little is known about the disease and its causes but what is known is that there is NO CURE. This is why it is vital that money goes into research in order to maybe one day finding a cure.

Dad quietly battled for nearly 2 years but finally the last 6 month's of his life became a struggle. He was dependent on oxygen and became bedridden, whilst he remained at home in his hospital bed with Mum caring for him and with friends and family visiting him. He loved having his 4 grandchildren around him and was so proud to be their Pappy.

Dad lost his battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis on the 26th June 2017, aged 69, peacefully and overnight and it has left a huge hole not just in our lives but the lives of those who knew him.

Dad was the most patient, kind, thoughtful, selfless, dignified person in all aspects of his life and he never complained with what he went through.

Knowing that there is no cure for this disease and that it has hit our family 3 times already, I want to raise my target of £1000 to help with research into a cure and prevention so that future generations may be given a chance to win the battle that is Pulmonary Fibrosis. 

So 18 months ago, after signing up to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with 2 of my very good friends, I started to put in hours and hours of training. I have walked, trekked and trained and trained and trained for miles and miles with the best, superb bunch of lovely ladies and am now 6 weeks away from the big climb. My training has included the London Moonwalk, an overnight walk of 26.2 miles around London and just last weekend, a midnight trek up and down Snowdon in the worst weather. Every weekend and every Monday (which I don't work) since then, I've paced miles upon miles of pavements, fields, hills, have had weekly PT sessions at the ridiculously early time of 6.30am before work on my equivalent of a Monday morning and those who know me well, know I really don't do early early!!! So the time has now come to put the blisters aside, the aching muscles away and prepare for the final push to maximum exertion. The kit is ready, the jabs have been done and the anti altitude sickness meds are on order. Kili is literally just there on the horizon. I couldn't have done all the training without the ladies and the support of my fabulous family and friends who have been behind me all the way.

Please help with as much or as little as you can by donating through JustGiving, which is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. It's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you x