Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I have had Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) since 2008. Approx 130 people in a million are diagnosed with the disease. WG is also called granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), often affects kidneys, lungs, eyes, ears and upper respiratory tract. The restricted blood flow to these organs can damage them. WG can affect other organs as well.

WG also produces a type of inflammatory tissue known as a granuloma that's found around the blood vessels. Granulomas can destroy normal tissue. There is no known cause or cure for WG.

With out treatment, Wegener's granulomatosis can be fatal, most commonly from kidney failure.

The money I raise for carrying out the Duathlon and Triathlon Challenge throughout 2016 will go to Vasculitis UK. This will go towards research into the disease to find a cure and to spread the word about WG to GP’s as early diagnose is the key. One of the aims of the charity is to to raise awareness ofvasculitis disease among medical professionals and the general population.

I was diagnosed fairly early and only suffered 15% lung damage. So I was one of the lucky ones.

Vasculitis UK is a small charity depending entirely on donations, before entering into a commitment to support a research project, they have to ensure that they have sufficient reserves to cover the project to its completion. Vasculitis UK also supports those suffering from vasculitis diseases and their families by providing information and advice.

I’m raising funds for vasculitis Uk to give them something back for the help and information they have given me. In 2016 I’ll be doing a series of events, these events will be a combinations of duathlons a run, bike, run and Triathlons swim, bike, run. I will be doing (all being well health wise) 10 in total. The main event will be the Ripon Triathlon in July 2016; this is the standard distance triathlon of a 1 mile swim, followed by a 40Km bike followed by a 10km run. I will be doing all these events whilst on immune suppressant drugs as well as having a blood clot in my internal jugular vein just to make things a little harder for me.  (Oh and a recent flare up in May 2016 in which I had to have more chemo).The drugs suppress the immune systems and there are days when I generally feel knackered mentally and physically so it will be a big challenge.

Thank you very much for your support to this fantastic cause. Your donation truly means so much to both myself personally and, of course, to Vasculitis UK. Every single penny donated is verymuch appreciated.

Thank You

Andrew