Our group will be abseiling down the water tower in Church Langley, Harlow on 30th April to raise funds for Fibromyalgia* research and awareness, and to fund specific treatment for Shannon Birse (a 19 year old university student) who is suffering from this awful condition.

Shannon, who used to enjoy abseiling, bungee jumping and traditional uni life, now struggles on an average of 1-3 hours sleep a night; chronic joint and muscle pain; chronic fatigue; sleep disorder; chronic headaches; muscle numbness and twitching; sensitivity to light, odours and noise - to name some of her symptoms.

She is currently having weekly physiotherapy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy and CBT, taking a number of strong medications (some given intravenously) and looking into hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Recently, she was given a blue badge for parking as the pain can be so severe.

*Fibromyalgia is a chronic, debilitating condition, which currently has no cure. There are 200+ symptoms including chronic joint and muscle pain; chronic fatigue; sleep disorders and IBS; 3-5% of the population suffer from this condition.