What began with Keeley's diagnosis of Addison's disease has grown into a remarkable fundraising effort spanning four generations of her family.
Since 2020, marathons, long-distance walks, school enterprise projects and even a 90th birthday celebration have brought together family, friends and the wider community to raise vital funds and awareness for ADSHG. Here, Keeley shares her diagnosis story and how the charity's support inspired her family to give back.
A Diagnosis That Changed Everything
In July 2020, I was diagnosed with Addison's disease. Rather than answering one question, it seemed to answer hundreds. Suddenly, all those little moments throughout my life that had never quite made sense - fainting after knocking my funny bone, unexplained stomach upsets on race days, sudden waves of dizziness at work events - finally had an explanation.
After the initial shock came determination. I wanted to get back to living life as normally as possible, and the ADSHG played a huge part in making that happen. The wealth of information available to patients, family members, paramedics and healthcare professionals gave me the confidence to understand my condition and take control of it. During my recovery, I read everything I could get my hands on. I was determined that Addison's disease would not stop me from living the life I loved.
As a runner of more than 20 years, setting myself a challenge felt like the perfect way to give something back. In 2021, during the throes of COVID, a friend and I completed the Virtual London Marathon and raised money for the ADSHG.
Since then, I have completed another two marathons and two ultramarathons. Those experiences have shown me that with the right knowledge, preparation and support, living well with Addison's disease is absolutely possible.
A Family Effort
Before long, fundraising became a family affair.
My mum was next to get involved. Having only taken up running at the age of 60, she chose to challenge herself in a different way, completing a 50-mile walk over five days in September 2022, the Yorkshire Three Peaks in October 2022 and a 70-mile walk over seven days in March 2024. Alongside the miles, she organised raffles and coffee mornings, tirelessly raising funds and awareness. Seeing how the charity had helped me navigate my diagnosis inspired her to support the charity that had given our family so much reassurance.
The fundraising effort then spread even further when Acre Street Runners selected the ADSHG as its Charity of the Year. Over twelve months, club members organised bingo nights, raffles, cake sales and quizzes, raising both funds and awareness for the charity.
Perhaps the fundraiser I am proudest of was organised by my youngest daughter, Freya. In 2023, at just 10 years old and naturally very shy, she came home from school determined to put the ADSHG forward for her Year 6 £5 Enterprise Challenge charity vote. This meant standing up in front of her classmates and explaining why the ADSHG should be chosen and why the charity mattered so much to her. Public speaking was something she would normally avoid, but she worked hard on her presentation and delivered it brilliantly. Not only did her class choose the ADSHG, but the entire year group did too. The pupils then raised money through their enterprise project, with all proceeds donated to the charity.
Most recently, my wonderful Grandma celebrated her 90th birthday. Rather than receiving presents, she asked friends and family to make donations to ADSHG instead.
The latest recruits to the fundraising effort have been my football teammates. After more than 25 years away from the sport, I nervously joined a newly formed local women's team. I worried about injuries and how they might affect my Addison's disease, but I quickly discovered an amazing group of supportive women. For Addison's Disease Day 2026, the team turned up to training in tutus and bright colours; each donating £2 and helping to raise more than £70 for the ADSHG.
Four Generations, One Cause
And so, what began with one diagnosis has grown into something far bigger.
Four generations of one family - my grandma, my mum, myself and my daughter - have all played their part in supporting the ADSHG. Together, we have raised awareness, funded vital work and helped shine a light on a condition that many people still know very little about.
To everyone living with Addison's disease, and to the families, friends and supporters around them: keep sharing your stories, keep raising awareness and keep supporting one another wherever you can. Together, we can continue to improve understanding, support research and move towards innovations that could make living with Addison's disease safer and easier for future generations.
Today, four generations of Keeley's family have supported the ADSHG in their own way. Together, they have raised vital funds, increased awareness and helped shine a light on the realities of living with Addison's disease.
A huge thank you to Keeley and her family for their incredible support over the years. We are truly grateful for everything they have done.