Land's End to John O'Groats, Part 2!

In 2018, I was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour, an Acoustic Neuroma. A couple of months later I was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis, an autoimmune condition that affects my lungs. I also suffered a haemorrhage just weeks before having surgery to remove the tumour.

While successful, this left me unable to walk, with impaired balance, permanent, profound hearing loss, dizziness, nausea, tinnitus, vision problems, facial palsy, and chronic fatigue.

It has taken an incredible amount of hard work to get where I am today, but I haven't let any of this stop me from living my best life.

I am a survivor who has been inspired by others to raise awareness of this terrible illness and hidden disabilities and last year I published my story, "Sickbed To Summits".

In September 2022, to show others that despite life throwing curveballs our way, we can still achieve, I started my ambitious challenge of running from Land's End to John O'Groats. This was a world record attempt that was brought to a stop when I was pulled off on medical grounds, due to the impact of fatigue on my now impaired balance.

To said I was distraught, was a bit of an understatement. Completing this journey meant so much, not only to me personally but also because I really wanted to use this to raise awareness of the hidden and often ignored impact of living with a brain tumour diagnosis. I promised I would finish this journey, and that is what I intend to do.

However, I really need your help; whilst I will be using my own savings to undertake this, the biggest expense is hiring a camper van as a support vehicle, and I could do with some help towards this. I still suffer badly from fatigue, and having somewhere to take a break during the day and overnight is hugely important to me. It would also stop my Acquired Brain Injury team from flipping out!

It would be greatly appreciated if you could help me finish this challenge. Every penny can make a difference, and any excess funds raised will be donated to the 2 charities in addition to the funds raised through the event.

All supporters will be acknowledged throughout the challenge, on social media platforms and credited at the end of a documentary I am making about this journey. I hope this will help others and give deeper understanding of what it's like to live with conditions like this.

Your support will help me to help others by proving that we do not have to be defined by what has happened to us.

Sara

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SickbedToSummits

Instagram: @saracrosland

Twitter: @saracrosland