Phil's experience with Crohn's Disease is unfortunately very similar to others. Phil started having symptoms when he was just 11 years old. The next 3 years brought about a lot of uncertainty as Phil and his family were trying to identify exactly what was going on, until eventually Phil was diagnosed with Crohn's at 13. Phil underwent a variety of different treatments from steroids to other medications, which initially seemed to do the trick and Phil lived in remission for the next 4/5 years. However, it wasn't too long before Phil found himself in the grips of another flare up. 

At the age of 21, Phil found himself immersed in another flare-up, brought on by the stress of ending a long-term relationship. The impact of this stress on his physical well-being resulted in frequent hospital visits every two weeks from the ages of 21 to 27. Phil faced immense challenges in regaining control over his Crohn's Disease, leaving him feeling helpless. He vividly remembers reaching a breaking point, engaging in heartfelt conversations with his IBD nurses, pleading for relief from the overwhelming pain he was enduring.

It was at this point that Phil made the decision to opt for emergency surgery. He signed the consent forms and awoke with a colostomy bag. Fast forward to Phil's 30th birthday, he decided to go through a reversal of his previous surgery and since then he's been in remission. With the help of his fantastically supportive partner Sharon, and being more mindful of his diet, Phil could think more towards the future and decided to take on this amazing challenge!

The starting point of Phil's journey took place at Haverfordwest Hospital in West Wales which is where his life changed in 2014 after his emergency operation, before he heads off around the rest of the British Isles. Amongst the big landmarks, he will visit the town in North Wales with the UK's longest train station name, John O' Groats, the most easterly point, Ness Point and Lands End, to mention a few.

We asked Phil what he was most looking forward to on his trip of a lifetime around the British coastline:

We want to wish Phil the best of luck with the remainder of his fundraising journey. We hope the weather has been kind over the past 2 weeks and continues to be for these final few days. If you want to cheer Phil over the finish line, he'll be back where he started at Haverfordwest Hospital in West Wales on Sunday 4th June, where you can catch him finishing his last 400 mile leg from Weston-Super Mare.