Ben Keane's Rochdale 10K run for his Mum

Ben Keane will run the 10K run on the 8^th October and he has raised already almost £200. Ben told us: ‘’My mum Caron was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia around 4 years ago after suffering for years with what was unknown at the time until a final diagnosis by her GP. She battled on but had to give up work 2 years ago. That was the end of 30 years of hairdressing job she loved. It also meant the end of most of her social life as it is often difficult to compose your thoughts and speech due to fibro fog. The condition affects her both physically and mentally including memory loss, the inability to follow a conversation, joint pain, insomnia and regular fatigue where even to go up the stairs is painful and like running a marathon.  

There is no cure for the condition and very little is understood about it. My mum is currently on medication which only masks the symptoms. That's why the money going to Fibromyalgia Action UK is so important to assist in research and to help the charity to continue to help sufferers around the UK and campaign to ensure treatment is no longer a post code lottery which is currently the case.’’

To donate visit Ben’s JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/benkeane-lyons

On the photo: Ben with his mum on her wedding day 

Nigel Tucker raises over £200 for FMA UK in 100km cycle ride and wins silver time

Nigel Tucker cycled 100km in New Forest on the 16^th September to support FMA UK and to raise awareness of fibromyalgia. Nigel told us: ‘’Yesterday was the big day, I completed my 61 mile/100km bike ride in 4hours and 6 minutes which was fast enough to earn me a silver time in the event, just 10 minutes and 55 seconds short of gold.

The fibromyalgia cause is close to my heart because one of my closest friends lives with the condition every day – she was diagnosed 5 years ago.  I chose Fibromyalgia Action UK from the JustGiving website as I want to help raise awareness and support the great work you do in helping people like my best friend.

Whilst I am a keen cyclist I have never done more than around 60km in any one day so 100km is a big push for me.’’ Nigel has been training hard before the event, cycling a lot and up to 100km a week before the event.

To donate visit Nigel’s JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nigel-tucker

Matthew Painter's 12 mile walk and run for FMA UK

Matthew Painter raised over £600 for FMA UK in a 12 miles sponsored run/walk in Swindon area. He walked for 5 hours to raise funds and awareness of fibromyalgia. Out of 5 hours, 3 hours and 31 minutes was walking. ‘’I decided to do the walk to raise money and awareness of fibromyalgia  because I've suffered with it myself for nearly 7 years. No one else in my family has it, but someone else, the wife of a friend, also suffers from it. I only found out when he told me

I trained for 8 weeks in the run up to the walk for two days a week, starting from a hour and a half of sustained walking and building up to three and a half hours - in my last bit of training I reached 8.2 miles walked. My girlfriend supported me by coming along on some of the training. On the day of the walk, my brother came along to support me in his car, and drove to certain points to check I was alright and supply me with bananas and drinks along the way.

The biggest problem I had to overcome was bad feet - plantar fasciitis! Luckily I was able to buy a new pair of trainers before the walk, and with my heel properly supported all the pain went away in time for the walk.’’

We would like to say well done to Matthew!

Fibromyalgia Awareness Week 3rd - 10th September 2017

How can I get involved?

Get involved on social media: 

• Add a Twibbon to your Facebook and Twitter profile pictures: http://twibbon.com/support/fight-fibro-2017
• Join our Thunderclap on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr: http://thndr.me/PQAxdt
• Spread the word by liking, sharing and retweeting our posts and videos on Facebook (@ukfibro) and Twitter (@fmauk)
• Take a selfie and post it on social media using the hashtag #FightFibro.

We’ll be sharing them throughout the week!

• Download and request copies of our posters and leaflets about fibromyalgia: http://www.fmauk.org/posters
• Take a look at our information booklets, and share them with people who may find them useful: http://www.fmauk.org/booklets
• Send a medical pack to your general practitioner (GP) or other healthcare professionals if they need some further information about fibromyalgia: http://www.fmauk.org/GP-Request
• Fundraise for Fibromyalgia Action UK. Please visit: http://www.fmauk.org/fundraising for more information.
• Awareness Week cover images for facebook and Twitter

Read more...

Lynsey Read-Edwards's and her husband's Paul Lake District trek for FMA UK

Lynsey Read-Edwards from Norfolk together with her husband Paul will walk 14 km from Dale Head to Catbells in Lake District on 23 September for FMA UK with the aim of raising £1,000. She has already raised £760.

Lynsey told us: ‘’I wish to complete the challenge and raise awareness for Fibromyalgia Action UK because I wish to help fellow sufferers. I feel it is important to speak honestly in order to raise awareness and hopefully raise some money to donate towards a cause very close to my heart. Fibromyalgia is difficult to explain but it does effect every aspect of your life and for me it was life changing. 

It took away my Independence and isolated me from the world. The condition hit my life like a nasty flu bug. It zapped all of my energy & strength. I was not independent. I couldn't walk anywhere without support. Those early days were the hardest thing I have ever experienced. This stage of my fibromyalgia lasted for about two years. And after that every year I have been able to do more and more with the hope of one day being able to be more active and more able. 

Read more...

Demi-Louise Bailey - Miss Voluptuous UK

Demi-Louise Bailey has contacted us with her story about competing in charity pageants, and is competing in Miss Voluptuous UK in September.  She tells us: 

"I was diagnosed when I was 15 (2012)- at this time in my life I was practically immobile. I was forced out of school. I had to force and push to get this diagnosis, I had been discharged and then referred and that process was repeated and FINALLY I was told that my chronic pain, my tiredness, depression, anxiety, ibs. It was all linked.

I've been through several medication changes, my weight has fluctuated massively. Self acceptance was probably the hardest part of my diagnosis. With medication, check ups every 6 months, I am now mobile.

I will not let my disability define me, I am stronger than that.

So I started competing in 2013, when I won the title of Sheppey Princess. I then has a serious ankle injury, which led me to take a break for two years. I've then gone on to compete in charity pageants. But I came back on a national stage again in 2016 as Miss Kent Curve. I placed top 5, won congeniality and publicity award. I've then gone on to compete again and placed first runner up! Won top Top Model!

I am now competing in Miss Voluptuous UK, for my chance to be there first UK queen. This is a platform based competition and Miss Voluptuous directors pride themselves on their girls charity work. So here I am! "

GOOD LUCK ...and be sure to let us know how you get on.