My chosen charity: Arthritis Research UK

My 30 things started off as a fun idea where I could continue the adventures and experiences I had in my twenties in to my thirties; now it's an opportunity to raise money for charity. Choosing a charity was tough as there are so many deserving charities, however I decided on one that means a lot to my family - Arthritis Research UK. 

Fifteen years ago, my cousin Annette was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which means the body's immune system starts attacking the body's own tissues, causing inflammation. Its main symptoms are joint pain and swelling. It’s the second most common form of arthritis in the UK and it affects around 400,000 people in the UK.It can affect adults at any age, but most commonly starts between the ages of 40 and 50. About three times as many women as men are affected.Although there’s no cure for rheumatoid arthritis yet, a variety of treatments are available that can slow down the condition and keep joint damage to a minimum. 

Arthritis Research UK is the charity leading the fight against arthritis. They are the biggest funder of research into the cause, treatment and cure of all forms of arthritis in the UK.They are working to take the pain away for people living with all forms of the disease, and to help them remain active, doing the things they love. As an organisation they create the knowledge to change the lives of people with arthritis, from funding research, to educating health care professionals and providing information to people with arthritis and their carers.Their aim is to fund pioneering, high quality research that will develop the best treatment for and prevention of arthritis in the world.Arthritis Research UK receives no government funding, but rely on the generosity and commitment of their supporters to continue funding this world class research.If you want to find out more about this condition please look at their website http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org

Annette is now 31 and has been living with Rheumatoid Arthritis since the age of 16. She has spent many of those years in pain and been in and out of hospital. She has had 3 hip replacements and only last Wednesday was in hospital having her shoulder joints cleaned out. She is my inspiration and all my 30 challenges are dedicated to her. I hope that through them I can raise awareness of the disease and raise money to find research into treatments and cures for such a debilitating condition, that can provide my cousin and others, with a better quality of life. 

If you are inspired then please donate on my just giving page: http://www.justgiving.com/Michelles30things

Thank you!