Four friends' 110 miles walk challenge for FMA UK

On the 16^th April Gregg Morrish, Will Ayling and Simon Stannard will walk from Winchester to Eastborne to raise funds for Fibromyalgia Action UK, while Tony Pritchard will raise funds for the RNLI. They have already raised almost £1,000. Gregg told us: ‘’I have decided to trek for this charity because it supports people suffering from fibromyalgia, just like my friend Hayley Graham. I’m doing this walk for her as currently there is no cure for fibromyalgia’’.

Hayley said: ‘’I am, along with thousands of other people, a fibromyalgia sufferer. Fibromyalgia can affect anybody at any age, although between the age of 30 and 50 is most common and women seem to suffer eight times more than men. It is a debilitating condition with excruciating pain throughout the body. It is a widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder for which the cause is still unknown. 6 years ago I was a primary school teacher running around the playground during PE lessons, swimming  40/50 lengths at the swimming pool 3 times a week before going to work. Now my day consists of a cocktail of medicine including morphine to help me get through the day.

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Chris Bishop will run London marathon for FMA UK and in support of his daughter Holly

Chris is one of the lucky people to win a place at the Virgin London marathon on the 24^th April this year – congratulations to Chris! Chris decided to run it in support of FMA UK and he told us why: ‘’At the age of 57, the London Marathon was one of those bucket list things we watch on the television, thinking one day I would like to give it a go. Places are hard to get but I thought:’’Go for it!’’. To my surprise I got a place.

Reality set in, so the training started, then bang, injury hit and I thought well maybe another year. The New Year arrived and I thought I'd try running again. A few aches and pains but doing ok. Then bang again, not me but my daughter. She had just been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, something I knew little about, however what I do know is the pain and fatigue don't compare. Feeling helpless, as a dad, I wanted to help so I have chosen to run on behalf of a charity not as high profile as many others but with an equal commitment to help and support all fibromyalgia sufferers. This run is for you and my daughter Holly. 

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How to do a successful fundraising event - Yasmin Laughlin tells us

Yasmin Laughlin has organised together with her sister, Amina Tufft, a successful fundraising Quiz night in Newport. Yasmin said: ‘’Our charity event was a success - we raised £1228 in total on the night to be split between FMA UK and MS Society. We are so happy with the result! That works out as £614 per charity. At the night we had some brilliant auction prizes and raffles as well as other games.

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia earlier this year. I have been struggling but I'm starting to understand it more now. Many people are not aware of the condition at all so I organised a fundraiser to raise money for FMA UK and raise awareness. A family member of mine is a sufferer of MS. So me and my sister have decided to hold a fundraiser to raise money and awareness for both conditions’’.

We say thank you very much to Yasmine and Amina, well done! :-)

Fancy Dress Beach Walk, Sandfields, Port Talbot, 15th May

You are invited to a Fancy Dress Beach Walk on Sunday the 15th of May at 12:00 pm on Aberavon beach in Sandfields, Port Talbot, from Jeff's bend to the pier, organised by Chloey Miller.

Chloey told us why she organised the walk: ‘’The reason I have chosen to raise awareness for fibromyalgia is because my mother Lisa who will be 40 this year suffers from the condition and I have seen the effects first hand. Just last week I went to a GP appointment with my mother and they mentioned there is nothing more they can do for her in regards to fibro. I have seen how much constant pain my mother is in and how much medication she has been put on to help with the pain, however it doesn't seem to work. I see how much of a daily struggle it is and how hard it is for her to complete even small tasks such as making a cup of tea.

I remember a time where my mother was fit and healthy and would come down the beach with the family, and it is hard to now see her on crutches, unstable walking, in a wheelchair when doing things like shopping. She cannot go out along in case she falls. She often drops things as her hands aren't working right anymore. Seeing the effects of her 'fibro fog' is very upsetting as she forgets things, even things she may have talked about ten minutes before. She forgets words mid-sentence, and can get confused sometimes. She sometimes has falls, the other week I had to pick her up off the floor. I could see how upset she was that she feels her independence has been taken away from her. She also suffers with sickness and is afraid to go out in public in case she is sick. 

However, no matter how ill my mother gets, she doesn't let it get her down. She truly is my inspiration. With everything she is going through herself she is still the main carer for my uncle who lives with us and cannot walk and talk, as well as caring for my brother and step brother. My mother still supports us all, is always there for us, and always puts the four of us first before her own needs. She really is a warrior, and I don't know how she does it.

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Michelle Birks runs the Edinburgh marathon

Michelle told us: ‘’This is my first ever marathon and I'm very proud to say that I am running to raise money for Fibromyalgia Action UK.

I know two people very dear to me who are affected by this disease, so I am very happy to be helping them by raising both money and awareness. A lot of people don't know much about Fibromyalgia - and it wasn't until a few years ago that I found out about it too! My mother in law suffers daily with it and it prevents her from living her life in a normal way like many of us. Simple tasks are made difficult and extremely painful. She does a great deal of things for us, especially given her condition and I feel that running a marathon for her is only the beginning of our gratitude, but it's the least I can do! She's an unsung hero.

One of my closest and oldest friends has also been diagnosed with this dreadful disease not too long ago. I can imagine that at the age of only 26, being unable to work for a living, unaware of the full extents of your illness & how your future will pan out is simply terrifying. She's one of the stronger people I know who gets on with it with a big smile on her face and takes each day in her stride. 

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Katie's Love challenge of a lifetime for FMA UK

Me and the Race for Fibromyalgia.

‘’Most people would think I’m completely off my rocker for embarking on probably the hardest physical challenge I’ve ever done, Running 100k, that’s 60 miles over the south downs over 2 days this coming August - what a way to spend the bank holiday weekend!

The challenge came about after 3 of my running buddies mentioned it and me being me was totally up for it having only ever done 22 miles max and only started running seriously a year ago, 100k (60miles) seemed the way forward (I clearly have a screw loose), but I do like a challenge and this I’m sure will be the first of many. In other words I don’t like to do things by half, if you’re going to do something then do it but do it to your best. PMA and all that jazz!

Having wildly signed up for the race I felt I needed to do it for a purpose, something that is close to me in more ways than one, and one of them is Fibro. I first heard of fibromyalgia when my auntie got diagnosed over 2 years ago, after many years trying to convince people, the professionals that the way she was feeling wasn’t right, however due to the fact nothing showed up on the tests she was left to fight this condition alone. But thankfully due to Fibromyalgia awareness and the fact it is finally being understood as a proper condition, gave my auntie the diagnosis she needed and an answer for all her silent questions, which has helped her understand her condition and help her live the best life she can but also make her not feel like it’s all in her head and for people not to judge.

Personally I have also showed signs of this condition but I am currently on the mystery list. 

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