Right now, an estimated 500,000 people in the UK are living with a lifelong disease that many people have never heard of. Which is roughly around 1 in 123 people.

Working on an acute gastro ward and having experienced this in my personal life I know how difficult this disease can be for people and the many debilitating symptoms or life changing treatments/surgeries that may be needed to manage the disease. Affecting people of any age. I have seen the effect multiple hospital admissions, invisible disease, surgeries, facing life living with a stoma, invasive procedures and treatments have had on the people I have cared for.

Right now in the UK no IBD team meets the recommended standards which is frightening. People with IBD deserve better integrated care with psychological support and earlier diagnosis. This charity has meant a lot to me in my personal life and my professional life as a newly qualifying nurse and I would appreciate any pennies at all for taking on this new challenge.