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Tom

Tom took on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge raising nearly £3,500 for PSC Support! Click the link below to see his fundraising page and learn more about his experience completing the challenge. Scroll down to read more about his journey supporting his son Rhys after diagnosis. 

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I did what I think most people do and googled PSC. BIG mistake that absolutely terrified us.

Tom and Rhys

Getting diagnosed

Rhys got diagnosed with PSC and ulcerative colitis in January 2020 after being poorly over Xmas.

 

I had never heard of PSC and the news shattered our lives.

 

Getting support

I didn't know where to turn as no one I knew had this illness so who could offer me advice? Be there to support me.

 

I did what I think most people do and googled PSC. BIG mistake that absolutely terrified us.

 

Having googled PSC I did find PSC Support and then searched for the Facebook group.

 

I joined and put a post out on there asking for people's advice. I wasn't disappointed. I was immediately met with replies from all the kind people who are going through this, patients, parents of kids and other relatives of people with PSC all giving me amazing advice and support.

 

COVID

Obviously as we all know, not long after, COVID hit and we were told Rhys was extremely clinically vulnerable due to his medication.

 

We sent him to stay at my dad's as he lives in a very remote village on the east coast. This broke our hearts - we didn't see Rhys in person for 3 months. But then he started being poorly again and I had to bring him home as the hospital changed his meds and put him on Azathioprine which required regular hospital visits for blood tests.

 

All the while the people on PSC Support UK were all helping each other with support and advice. I wanted to give something back. So I decided to raise funds by doing the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.

 

Getting fit

I started training in January 2022 weighing 19st 1lb. I've done numerous walks - some short, some really long with some mountains thrown in. I've also started playing football on Wednesday evening and I'm now down to 17st 7lb so it's heading in the right direction.

 

At the time of writing this we had raised £1,335 on the JustGiving page.

 

I have also been given a signed Leeds Rhinos shirt by Leeds Rhinos player James Donaldson. We are currently selling numbers at £10 per go to raise an additional £1,000 for PSC Support.

 

I would like to thank everybody who has got involved and donated.

 

But the biggest thank you of all goes to PSC Support for all the help and support you guys are amazing XXX.

 

 

You're amazing Tom! Thank you very much for sharing your story and for fundraising for PSC Support!

 

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