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Be inspired. Become inspiring. Transform lives.

Ann Bell was inspired to take part in the Great North Run by her son Daniel's brave struggle with Crohn's. Jassim Al-Kanani was inspired by his brother Sami's courageous battle with Colitis...

Crohn's and Colitis are bowel conditions which affect 240,000 people in the UK, many of them children, teenagers and young adults. The impact on daily life can be devastating and there is no known cure.

Ann and Jassim are just two of the hundreds of runners who help to transform the lives of those affected by raising funds in aid of Crohn's and Colitis UK. Fundraising Officer Geraldine Tunnicliffe explains, 'Our charity gives support through helplines, information, web forum, family days, local community groups and small grants for people in need as a result of their illness. We also fund research - almost £6m of research has been funded to date.

Fundraising from marathons and runs is vital if this work to continue. Like Ann and Jassim, many of our runners are inspired by seeing the struggles of the people they love. Others are inspired just by knowing the difference we make to thousands of people's lives every year'.

People like:

• Nicola - Too ill to work after her fifth operation, Nicola was washing sheets by hand several times each week because sores around her colostomy bag were causing leaks. When she received our grant for a washing machine she cried with relief.
• Julie - At her 'wit's end' over her young son's Crohn's, Julie called our helpline. 'If you were nearer I would hug you,' she said, after receiving the information and support she needed. 'Thank you, thank you, thank you!'
• Kathleen - When Kathleen spoke to one of our trained helpline staff she was so depressed by her illness that she was considering suicide. 'I am feeling more positive now,' she said later. 'I feel I owe my life to the lady.'
• Adam - Steroid treatment made Adam gain weight very quickly so none of his clothes fitted - until he received our grant for new clothes. 'Things were desperate,' his mum said. 'The illness had turned him into a lonely, isolated person who was almost housebound. The new clothes were a big step back into the outside world.'

"We support our runners with free vests, sponsor forms, fundraising packs and the help of our fundraising team," Geraldine says.

"Yours was the most friendly charity marquee I've ever visited," another of our Great North Runners told us.

Do you know a Daniel or a Sami? If not, will you run for people like Nicola, Julie, Kathleen and Adam? From elite runners to beginners, our place or your place, Crohn's and Colitis UK welcomes everyone. Some of the runs the charity have places at are: Great North Run, Edinburgh Festival of Running, Brighton Marathon, London Marathon & London 10,000 km.

"People are always willing to support others and anything is possible," says Jassim.

So come on. Be inspired. Become inspiring. Transform lives.

To contact Chron's and Colitis UK please call them on 01727 734485, e-mail them at fundraising@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk, or visit www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk. Please quote NRG11.