Derbyshire consultant to walk and run 120km on foot to raise money for rheumatology causes

Dr Chris Deighton will walk 100km and run 21km more to increase funds and profiles for two organisations supporting sufferers of inflammatory arthritis.

Dr Deighton, who is a rheumatology consultant at Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will be walking 100k from London to Brighton on 24 and 25 May to raise money for the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society which help those suffering from the chronic form of arthritis which affects younger people.

He will then compete in the Great North Run on 7 September for the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS).

Dr Deighton, who is also the outgoing president of the British Society for Rheumatology said: “Inflammatory arthritis does not get the publicity it deserves. “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.”

To sponsor Dr Deighton, visit his fundraising pages at:http://www.justgiving.com/Chris-Deighton6 and http://www.justgiving.com/Chris-Deighton5