Hi my name is Poppy and I have Cystic Fibrosis. Those of you that know me, know that I have more than a few screws lose and love a challenge. That's why despite having a lung disease I will be running a 50km ultra.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-limiting genetic condition affecting more than 10,000 people across the UK. It affects primarily the lungs and digestive system and can cause chronic infections and reduced lung function. Having CF comes with many challenges, including physical health, mental health, lifestyle choices, relationships - just to name a few. One in 25 people carries the faulty gene that causes it, usually without knowing. This means one of you could have a child with CF, despite never knowing you carried the gene. (More info here: https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/)

How CF affects me, in three main ways:

- I take 35 tablets every day just to stay alive and well. Believe it or not this is the least I've ever taken.

- I have grown up being told my life expectancy is 40. While medication is improving and my life expectancy now may be higher, this doesn't change the fact that CF is a degenerative disease.

- CF is an invisible disease. From looking at me you'd probably say I was one of the healthiest and fittest individuals. But here I am taking 35 tablets a day, having check ups every 2 months and being told I'm roughly half way through my life.

This isn't a sob story or a plea for sympathy - because quite frankly I hate sympathy! CF in many ways has made me stronger and more resilient. From the get go I have had to deal with managing a complicated condition, making me (usually) an extremely organised person. I have had to deal with being told things like: half of my lung has collapsed and I need urgent treatment. I have dealt with being told I will probably live half the number of years than a "normal" person. CF has made me resilient. CF has made me strong, despite the weaknesses it inflicts on my body. CF has made me vow to live 80 years of life in 40 years, and my god I can promise you I am achieving it! Despite all of this it is not a disease I would wish on my worst enemy (not that I have any mortal enemies). Therefore, I am raising money for the CF trust to continue their incredible development in research and medication for people with CF, making our lives much better.

Without the CF Trust, it wouldn't have been possible for people with CF to access the life-changing drug called Kaftrio, which literally modifies all the cells in our lungs to make our lungs work properly! Thanks to Kaftrio, I have managed to knock 7 minutes off my 5km running PB. Crazy how useful being able to breathe is! Whilst this new drug is a step in the right direction, it is still not a cure and 10% of people with CF are unable to take it. Therefore, the CF Trust is still working hard to develop new medication.

Any and all donations are greatly appreciated. Feel free to share this JustGiving page with friends, family, colleagues, exes, tinder dates when you've run out of conversation...basically anyone and everyone! The more support the faster I will try to run!

If you have any questions or want to get in touch, slide into my DMs ;)

Lots of love,

Poppy