I'm cycling 100 miles in the tyre tracks of Olympians (but very very slowly) to raise money for the brilliant but under represented Hepatitis C Trust. Their mission is to reverse the rapidly increasing death toll caused by hepatitis C in the UK until no-one dies from this preventable and treatable disease and, ultimately, it is all but eradicated in this country.

Hepatitis C was first discovered in the 1980s and is a blood-borne virus that predominantly infects the cells of the liver. The course of a chronic hepatitis C infection is extremely varied and unpredictable. Some people experience very few symptoms for as long as a decade. Others can suffer symptoms almost from the start. Some will progress to develop fibrosis and cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer or end stage liver disease, while others experience very little liver damage, even after many years.

My family and I watched my mum suffer from hepatitis C for many years and tried many courses of treatment. In 2011 Mum developed liver cancer as a result of her hepatitis C. Being a small and lucky lady Mum quickly received a donor liver from a man whose liver not only saved Mum but also a young child. We will be eternally grateful to that man. 

Receiving a new liver was not a cure. In the last year and a half Mum has been on a groundbreaking drug trial and last year Mum received the all clear. As a family this was a day we never thought we would see. Unfortunately, NHS England limits the number of people with hepatitis C who are allowed access to the new drugs that cure the disease and people are still dying.

The Hepatitis C Trust provides support and representation for those affected by hepatitis C and raises awareness of the disease.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.