For the past 11 years, I’ve lived with chronic migraine. Not just “bad headaches,” but sometimes constant pain, dizziness, visual disturbances and attacks that affect my ability to function day-to-day. Some weeks, just getting through to the end is a big win. To put this into perspective, last year I experienced a migraine for 41% of the year… approximately 12-15 migraines a month.

Anyone that knew me when I was growing up will know that whilst I loved dancing and aerial hoop, anything “sporty” was not my thing and I avoided it at all costs, especially when all I wanted to do was lay in bed. And yet, this year, I’m taking on my biggest physical challenge to date: taking part in my first Olympic-distance triathlon at the T100 Triathlon series in August, having completed a Sprint triathlon in March 2025.

I’m doing this to prove to myself that despite feeling rubbish, I can do hard things and also to raise money for the National Migraine Centre. Without them I wouldn’t now be taking my Ajovy injection monthly which is reducing my migraines drastically (now 4 compared to 15 per month) and allowing me to train on the days that I feel “normal”. The National Migraine Centre is the UK’s only charity dedicated to providing diagnosis and treatment for those with migraine and other primary headaches. Since 1980, they have enabled those affected to access world-class consultant neurologists and GP headache specialists, helping many thousands of people who are unable to access effective treatment through either the NHS or private clinics. I know all too well, first hand, how hard it is to access migraine treatment through the NHS, and am still on a waiting list to access medication that can allow me to live a “normal life” without paying hundreds of pounds each month.

The National Migraine Centre receives no NHS or government funding; their work is largely funded by patients through fees and voluntary donations.

I’ve been lucky. I’ve had access to private treatment, paid for appointments, and covered the cost of medications that many others simply can’t afford. But migraine doesn’t discriminate, and no one should be left to suffer in silence because of financial barriers. That’s where this charity steps in, funding treatment and support for those who need it most.

Training with chronic migraine is incredibly hard. There are days I have to stop, rest, and give up… and days I don’t even start. But I’m doing this to show that even when the road is tough, we keep moving. Every kilometre is a message: that people with migraine matter, and deserve better.

If you’re able, please support me and this amazing cause. Your donation could help someone get the treatment they need to take back control of their life.

Thank you so much for reading and fingers crossed for no migraines on the day!