why?
I have dedicated my row to the memory of my Dad, Derek Outen. He died very suddenly and unexpectedly in 2006 having suffered appalling ill health due to rheumatoid arthritis for nearly 20 years. He was diagnosed when I was just a wee toddler. It is a horrible, devastating disease and affects folk of all ages, from the tinies to the oldies, in various manifestations. It is essentially painful and debilitating and while ‘it may not kill you, it can take your life’. I remember him saying that the only thing that varied was the intensity of the pain – it was always there in some degree. Often it would knock him flat out for days on end. It cut short his career in the Royal Air Force, and it really did take away his life in many ways. Anyone that has seen a relative suffering chronic pain and illness, knows the draining, sickening, gut wrenching feeling of seeing someone they love degenerating and weakened by a seemingly unstoppable force.
But Dad was an unstoppable force, too, in his own right. He was courageous, determined and stubborn in his fight to keep going through the trials and setbacks of operations and illness. Without doubt, he has been and will remain, one of the greatest inspirations in my life, and my row.
in a bid to stop the pain
So the charity choices for my row were obvious – they would support folk affected by these terrible diseases, either suffering from or caring for someone ; and also researching the causes and developing treatments for arthritic conditions.
Arthritis Care
My current charity is Arthritis Care, who work to represent people with arthritis and to lobby decision-makers in their name. With over 300 branches UK-wide, a free information helpline, website and range of information booklets and newsletters, it actively campaigns locally, nationally and internationally for people with arthritis.
For anyone wanting to find out more about their work please visit their website: www.arthritiscare.org.uk or phone their free helpline: 0808 800 4050, 10am-4pm weekdays
‘Everyone at Arthritis Care is delighted that Sarah has chosen to champion our work through this inspiring voyage. Like her own solo marathon, living with arthritis is a lonely and painful journey, and Sarah really understands why Arthritis Care is so vital in helping people of all ages to push their own limits and challenge its constraints. Sarah’s effort is an ideal metaphor for how people can take charge of the disease, and achieve their goals. Although she’s going solo, she won’t be alone as Arthritis Care and nine million people with arthritis will be with her in spirit, cheering her on.’ Rachel Haynes, Director of Public Affairs.
For the first two years of the project, fundraising focussed on the crucial work being carried out by the Arthritis Research Campaign – who fund vital research programmes into the 400 forms of arthritis. Some great successes in 2008 were allayed to rheumatoid arthritis treatments, so there is plenty of hope for the future. We raised thousands of pounds for them.