Top NHS consultant takes on gruelling challenges for arthritis charities

Dr Chris Deighton, the outgoing President of the British Society for Rheumatology, will be walking the 100k from London to Brighton on 24 and 25 May to raise money for the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS) and then competing in the “World’s greatest half marathon,” the Great North Run on 7 September for the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS).
“Inflammatory arthritis does not get the publicity it deserves,” Chris says. “My aim is to raise it up the NHS agenda and improve access to the resources that are needed to provide high quality multidisciplinary services. This is my chance to increase the profile of the disease and raise some money for two excellent organisations like NASS and NRAS, who do fantastic work in supporting patients and raising awareness of these conditions. My fundraising efforts show how passionately I care about these issues and how I am willing to punish my own body mercilessly for two great causes!”
If you are under the age of 40 years and have had back pain for three months or more it could be inflammatory and you should see your GP. For more information about Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) please go to www.nass.co.uk.
If you have been experiencing early morning joint stiffness lasting for more than 30 minutes, persistent swelling of the joints or pain when squeezing your joints this could be inflammatory arthritis and you should also see your GP. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis and more information can be found at www.nras.org.uk.
To support Chris visit http://www.justgiving.com/Chris-Deighton5 or http://www.justgiving.com/Chris-Deighton6.