On 10 June 2017, teams of friends and families of people with Cystic Fibrosis are taking on the challenge of a 65k walk about the Surrey hills. Our team consists of University staff and students including Pip and Nikki Gregory, James Kearsey, Robert Newman and Vicky Arnold-Woods, as well as some of our close friends and family.

What is Cystic Fibrosis (CF)?

CF is a genetic condition affecting more than 10,800 people in the UK. Symptoms vary between patients, but are generally identified through salty skin, poor digestion and a persistent cough. One in 25 of the population carries the faulty gene without even knowing, but two faulty genes make a patient. More details are available via the CF Trust website https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/

Our history:

Pip and I (Nikki) were born with CF, and over the years, we’ve faced numerous setbacks, infections, hospital stays and surgeries. Life with CF means being badly affected by a build-up of mucus (lovely I know!), which over time limits lung capacity, so walking long distances can be very difficult. Life expectancy of someone with CF is around 37 years (Pip and I are both in our 30s!), but I cheated and received a double lung transplant 6 years ago.

Begging:

GreatStrides65 is a charity event and any money raised will go to the CF trust. We are asking you to sponsor us for the long distance. We have set up a just giving page and have a charity box in the Templeman Library Office, and the usual sponsorship forms should you wish to drop money off with us.

We appreciate any help we can get, and thank you for supporting such an amazing cause, and one so close to our hearts.

Nikki, Pip and Team

[Picture shows (from left): Nikki, Robert Newman (PhD) Pip Gregory (PhD) and Vicky Arnold-Woods (PhD)]