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Richard Trowsdale

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Published on Wednesday, 14 May 2025 14:40

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Running For Fibromyalgia: Richard Trowsdale's Story

At Fibromyalgia Action UK, we are incredibly proud to support runners who take on personal challenges to raise both awareness and vital funds for our cause. Every step they take helps us continue providing information, support, and hope to people living with fibromyalgia across the UK.

"Hello, my name is Richard and this September, I’m lacing up my trainers and pushing myself through the 13.1 miles of the Great North Run—not just for the challenge, but for something far more meaningful. I’m running on behalf of Fibromyalgia Action UK, inspired by my friend Tracy, who lives with fibromyalgia, a condition that affects every part of her life, though you'd never know it just by looking at her.

Fibromyalgia is often described as an "invisible illness." It doesn't leave visible scars, and there's nothing to signal to the world that something is wrong. But that invisibility is part of what makes the condition so difficult—not just for those who live with it, but for the friends, family, and wider communities who want to understand and support them.

Tracy is one of the strongest people I know. She faces each day with incredible courage, even though fibromyalgia means she lives with relentless, widespread pain, debilitating fatigue, and brain fog that often make even the simplest tasks feel like climbing a mountain. She often wakes up more tired than when she went to sleep, and everyday activities—things most of us take for granted—can drain every ounce of her energy. There are days when even getting out of bed is a monumental feat.

Yet, Tracy carries on with a quiet determination that humbles me. She smiles, she listens, she shows up. She laughs even when her body is screaming with pain. She’s kind when the world doesn’t understand what she’s going through. Most people don’t see the full extent of her struggle because fibromyalgia doesn’t show itself on the surface.

That’s why I’m running. Not just to raise money, but to raise awareness.

There is still so much misunderstanding surrounding fibromyalgia. Because it's not visible, people often underestimate just how serious and life-altering it is. Those with fibromyalgia are frequently met with doubt, dismissal, or assumptions that it's "all in their head." The truth is, this condition affects millions of people—and they deserve to be heard and supported.

Fibromyalgia Action UK does vital work in supporting people like Tracy and advocating for better research, treatment, and public understanding. They offer a lifeline to many who are navigating this confusing and often isolating condition, and they are a voice for those who sometimes feel voiceless.

Running the Great North Run is going to be tough. There will be moments I want to stop. My legs will ache, my breath will shorten, and the finish line will feel miles away. But I’ll keep going, thinking of Tracy and everyone else living with fibromyalgia who doesn’t have the luxury of choosing when they fight through the pain. Every step I take is for them.

So please, if you can, support this journey—whether by donating, sharing, or simply learning more about fibromyalgia. Together, we can help bring visibility to the invisible and hope to those who need it most."

From all of us at Fibromyalgia Action UK, thank you for supporting our runners and standing with people affected by fibromyalgia. Your kindness and generosity help us build a stronger, more compassionate future for everyone living with this condition.

To support Richard and help him reach his fundraising goal, please visit:
https://ajbellgreatnorthrun2025.enthuse.com/pf/richard-trowsdale