Ambassador Ali Jawad Breaks World Record, Wins Gold

Ali, a British Paralympic powerlifter and Crohn's and Colitis UK champion, won a gold medal at the Asian Open Championships in Kuala Lumpur - setting a new world record in the process.

Everybody at the charity would like to congratulate Ali on his amazing feat, which involved lifting 185.5kg (more than three times his bodyweight!) in the -59kg class in Malaysia - and beating the previous best mark by 10.5kg.



Moments after winning gold, Ali was quoted as saying:

“I'm thrilled by my performance. It's a great stepping stone to the World Championships next year... to break a world record is something many athletes can only dream of."

Watch Ali's video and read more about his inspiring story here.

Gyles Brandreth wins £1,000 on TV Gameshow

The writer, broadcaster and former MP appeared on ITV's Celebrity Chase representing Crohn's and Colitis UK.

You might know him from BBC's The One Show, but  Gyles took on TV quiz genius 'The Chaser' to win £1,000 for our charity and raise much-needed awareness too.

The TV show was originally broadcast on Saturday 2nd November, but is still available to view online for a limited time.

• Watch the full episode on the ITV Player website

Famous People with Crohn's or Colitis - Carrie Grant

Most people know Carrie Grant as bubbly and bouncy, a world famous vocal coach who appeared on BBC's Fame Academy working with stars like Will Young and Melanie C.

But life isn't always bright for her. She says, "I have my moments of struggle. Moments when my IBD gets me down."

"When I can't eat with my kids because I'm on the elemental diet, moments when slapping on the facepaint is a struggle because I'm so exhausted or in constant pain, moments when my husband takes me out for a romantic dinner and eats alone whilst I'm stuck on the restaurant loo."

"Times like that, I'm glad I'm able to talk to someone at Crohn's and Colitis UK - it helps to know that together, we can work to make a difference and help others to find their inner strength to face the future - it isn't always easy."

Carrie continues, "If you have IBD or have someone who has - tell them to contact Crohn's and Colitis UK; there's friendly help and support available for all ages, with understanding people at the other end of the telephone line... just call!"

• Watch Carrie Grant's video for Crohn's and Colitis UK on YouTube

Famous People with Crohn's or Colitis - The Prescotts

The Prescott family are our first Family Ambassadors. Former Deputy Prime Minister Lord John Prescott's

daughter-in-law, Roz, has Ulcerative Colitis and the family have spoken publicly on ITV's This Morning and at Crohn's and Colitis UK events - including at the Houses of Parliament and No.10 Downing Street.

Roz says, "Before my diagnosis, I was always on the go, happy and determined and ambitious. After I was diagnosed with Colitis, everything changed. I knew nothing about the disease and it changed my life overnight. The symptoms can be debilitating ,painful, embarrassing and even frustrating, but my advice is you must fight it. Once you understand it, you can take control and eventually you will get back to some sort of normality. I found speaking to Crohn's and Colitis UK really helped me through a very difficult time."

"A week after giving birth to my daughter, Ava Grace, I was admitted to hospital for emergency surgery to remove my bowel, which resulted in me having to have an ileostomy bag."

For more of Roz' story watch her video:

For more information on all the Crohn's and Colitis UK Ambassadors and Champions visit the charity's website.

Famous People with Crohn's or Colitis - Ali Jawad

Did you know that Crohn's and Colitis UK have a number of Celebrity Ambassadors and Champions, all of whom have done sterling work in raising funds and awareness for the charity.

Today's Ambassador profile is Ali Jawad, whose story is one of genuine inspiration, courage and overcoming obstacles. Ali, we salute you!

Ali Jawad is a British Paralympic Powerlifter who competed at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. 

"I’m honoured to join the ranks of sporting Champions who are using our careers and network of contacts to raise awareness of Crohn’s and Colitis (together known as IBD, or inflammatory bowel diseases). Every year in the UK, 18,000 people are newly-diagnosed, the majority in their late teens and early twenties."

"I was diagnosed in my early twenties and, to be honest, I thought it was the end of my dreams of Paralympic glory. I was in constant pain, feeling weak (not a good idea for a powerlifter!) and at times, quite depressed - particularly when I found that there is no known cure for Crohn’s Disease."

"A few months later, following surgery, I pulled myself together and went into intensive training for the London 2012 Paralympics. It was touch and go whether I would qualify, due to a flare-up, but I did. Narrowly missing out on a medal has only made me more determined to try and get to Rio and have another go."

Find out more in Ali's video for Crohn's and Colitis UK:

You can find out more about all the Crohn's and Colitis UK Ambassadors and Champions on the Crohn's and Colitis UK Website.

An Evening Out...

"Room 5" is a play written by Diane Harman, Chair of the South Essex Group of Crohn's and Colitis UK. The first performance of the play is on SUnday 15th September in Hornchurch, Essex.

About the show

A group of people who all suffer with different forms of bowel disease find themselves in Room 5. Due to the embarrassing nature of the illness it is not something they would normally discuss but one by one they each find themselves sharing their own experiences of living with such an illness and their quest to find a diagnosis and cure.

It soon becomes evident that they each have a story to tell and some shocking revelations! However, despite their different character traits they gradually develop a sense of camaraderie and a special bond.

With toilet humour in abundance prepare to both laugh out loud and empathise with their situation!

Some content of an adult nature

Dates / Prices

Sunday 15 September 2013 
7:30 pm - £15

Buy tickets

• Book Now on the Queens Theatre website
• Or call 01708 443333
  
  
  
  
  

Guess Who Popped Into the Office??

Premiership footballer and Scotland international player Russell Martin took us all by surprise recently and popped into the Crohn’s and Colitis UK office.


Russell became a Crohn's and Colitis UK Champion in 2012 for our IBD: Sport and Fitness campaign and has recorded a video for us detailing his diagnosis and how he lives with the challenges of IBD - Russell has Ulcerative Colitis like fellow Scottish International and Manchester United footballer Darren Fletcher.



Read the full story here on the main Crohn's and Colitis UK website. 

You can find out more about Russell's biography and story at the IBD: Sport and Fitness website. Plus really interesting statistics about sport and fitness with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.