On Boxing Day, I had the seemingly impossible idea that I’d like to run a half marathon this year. This will be a HUGE challenge for me but I’m running for an incredible charity so the literal pain, blood, sweat & tears that have gone into training for this event will be all worth it.

In September 2011, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, an auto immune condition that I knew absolutely nothing about. I’d been gradually getting more & more poorly over the course of about a year - life had become pretty unrecognisable. I’d gone from being a (relatively!) healthy & independent person in their mid 20s to someone sleeping in a chair due to being unable to get in & out of bed, someone who needed assistance dressing, someone who regularly used mobility aids & someone who had regular falls due to mobility issues.

The next decade involved too many hospital appointments, blood tests, medication changes, consultant referrals, surgeries and physio appointments to count. I also became the proud & extremely fortunate owner of 3 joint replacements (each time having to re-learn how to walk properly again & build back strength) the first at just 29! It was an incredibly challenging & difficult time & im so grateful for the support from my friends & family for getting me through it.

I am so very lucky that, due to the right cocktail of immune system suppressing medication & several surgeries, my health has improved unrecognisably over the past couple of years. I’m now able to take on challenges I never dreamt possible at the time of diagnosis, such as commuting into London for a job I love & taking up running! This is all possible through the research, support & guidance provided by Versus Arthritis to the over 10million people living with the disease.

I will therefore be running the Manchester Half Marathon on Sunday 13th October 2024 in aid of Versus Arthritis. It feels like such a privilege to be in a position to help fund their amazing work & say a big thank you for giving me my life back.

My incredibly patient, supportive & long-suffering husband Neil, who has been with me every step of the way on this journey, will be running with me, so please do cheer us on throughout our training & even on the day if you fancy a trip to Manchester!

Any donations you are able to give will be so great fully received.