I'm Gonna Ride (500 Miles)
Thursday 8th May 2025
Mark Wright
I'm Gonna Ride (500 Miles)
In May 2025, I'm going to cycle from London to Edinburgh over 7 days. I'm aiming to raise £5000 each for two amazing charities: Crohn's and Colitis UK, and Fertility Network UK. Both charities have personal significance for me...
I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in 2002. The first years were difficult, with bad symptoms and many types of treatment tried and failed. In 2005, I had a temporary ileostomy to give my large intestine a break, with the hope that this would be reversed in the future. In 2011, this was reversed, but the condition came back, and in 2014 I had the majority of my large intestine removed, resulting in me having a stoma for life. In 2023, I had the rectum removed too, and this hopefully means that no more surgery will be required. The condition is currently treated by vedolizumab, which I take every fortnight by self-injection. Crohn's and Colitis UK work to raise awareness of Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, and to work for improvements in diagnosis, treatment and care for those who have the condition.
My wife Kay and I got married in 2015, and we wanted to start a family together, but were unable to conceive naturally. That began a journey of IVF that lasted 8.5 years in total. We were fortunate to get a few rounds on the NHS, and also did a few self-funded rounds too. We experienced failed rounds, miscarriage, hope and disappointment - it's a brutal journey to go on. In 2020, we were overjoyed to welcome our daughter Eden from one round. She has brought such happiness to our lives, but this doesn't take away from the hurt and grief that we feel from rounds that were unsuccessful. Infertility affects so many people, and isn't often talked about. Fertility Network UK works to support people whose lives have been affected by infertility.
Follow the build-up to the ride on this page, and via Instagram (@mrmarkdwright).