Summer 2017 Issue #1

By Laura Zappulla

A big hello from your East

London volunteer network!

Our network is made up of a

diverse bunch of people. We

have a mixture of long-standing

members, many of whom

became involved with the

organisation after being

diagnosed with Crohn's Disease

or Ulcerative Colitis, and some

new recruits who have joined us

in 2017.

Meet the team: Laura Zappulla,

Stephen Dunn, Monica Herzberg,

Grant Tufton, Emma Reilly,

Leanne Downie, Max Marlow,

Charlotte Giles, Pamela Shiel

and El Coombs.

But can you guess who is who?!

I am a cross-country skier

I've been a vegetarian for

over 2 decades

I'm a busy dad with two

tiny tearaways

I am a Guinness World

Record Holder, taking part

in the biggest Sky Dive in

one day in one location to

raise money for Crohn’s &

Colitis UK

I worked as a proof-reader

I once “starred” in a TV

advert

FRESH FACES FOR EAST LONDON IN THIS ISSUE

Meet the Team 1

London Marathon 2

IBD London Patient

Education Programme 3

Walk It!?! 3

Monthly Coffee Morning 3

Dates for your diary 4

East London Network

We welcome excited new volunteers in 2017!

Laura, Maureen & Wahida Walking It,London

7.) I blog about travelling and

living life to the full with an

ostomy on my website Stomali-

cious https://

stomalicious.wordpress.com/

Check out the answers on page

4!

If you're interested in joining

us, please contact Crohn’s &

Colitis UK on:

- Tel: 017 2773 4472

- Email: volunteer-

ing@crohnsandcolitisuk.org

Page 2 Crohn’s and Colitis UK East London Network Newsletter

MARATHON

RUNNERS

LONDON MARATHON CHEER SQUAD

On Sunday 23rd of April, a number of the East London

volunteers headed off to cheer on Crohn's & Colitis UK’s fantastic runners as they ran

the London marathon, raising money for the charity.

An email went out to the East London members encouraging others to join us at the cheer

point at Mile 17 near the Asda on the Isle of Dogs. We were armed with our purple t-shirts,

plenty of cheering material including banners, balloons, flags and of course we'd all

been practicing our best cheering chants! Pam, Stephen and Laura were there from 10am and got everything set up ready for when

the runners started coming past. It was a fun day and we cheered

on many Crohn’s & Colitis UK Runners encouraging them on at just under the half way mark

(the marathon starts at Greenwich and goes all the way to Buckingham Palace).

It was a bit hard to spot all our runners amongst the masses of

40,000 participants (and many more spectators), not to mention some crazy outfits! In

several cases the runners spotted us before we spotted them thanks to our purple cheer

squad! Crohn’s & Colitis UK had several

cheering points along the route, including a welcome back reception at the end, so our

runners had plenty of support along the way! Well done to

everyone who ran the marathon this year!

If you’re interested in running the 2018 marathon, applications are already open at: https://

crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/get-involved/fundraising/london-marathon

Page 3 Crohn’s and Colitis UK East London Network Newsletter

IBD LONDON PATIENT

EDUCATION PROGRAMME

IBD Nurses and Doctors from hospitals around London have pooled together their knowledge and have put to-gether four Patient Education Programmes in London for 2017. One of our volunteers, Laura, went along to help out at the most recent session and said the talks were informa-tive and she enjoyed the opportunity to meet and talk with other IBD patients. There are still 2 upcoming sessions on 10th September and 18th November being held at the Wesley Euston Ho-tel & Conference Venue, NW1 2EZ, 10.30-12.30. The programme includes talks from nurses, doctors and other specialists on topics such as diet, surgery, self-managing IBD, and pregnancy and fertility.

WALK IT?!

On 4th June over 1500 Crohn’s

& Colitis UK supporters

Walked It across London,

turning the city purple!

Families, friends, couples, the young and the old, and even some 4 legged friends came out to raise over £130,000! The sun was shining, the vibe and camaraderie were awesome, and priceless awareness was raised for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Several members of the East London network joined in the fun on the day for either the 5 or 10km walk from the event village at Brunswick Square Gardens, taking in some of London’s most iconic landmarks. A great day was had by all! Why not join in next year and Walk It at the 2018 event?!

MONTHLY COFFEE MORNING

Alongside our regular volunteer meetings, many of us also attend the monthly coffee morning, held on

the first Saturday of every month from 10:30—12:30 at Marks & Spencer Tasting Café (Level 3), Strat-

ford City Westfield. There are some long term veterans such as Maureen and Pam who are there every

month. If you've ever contemplated going to a local meet-up, please do join us! We're a friendly and

social bunch offering an understanding ear. We usually sit on the right hand side as soon as you enter

the café.

Page 4 Crohn’s and Colitis UK East London Network Newsletter

CONTACT US

East London Network

Helpline: 0300 222 5700*

Website: www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/el

Email: el@networks.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk

Crohn’s and Colitis UK

45 Grosvenor Road, St Albans AL1 3AW

enquiries@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk

www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk

Charity registered in England Number 1117148

Charity registered in Scotland Number SC038632

A company limited by guarantee in England:

company number 5973370

HELPLINE Our helpline is a confidential service providing

information and support to anyone affected by

Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and other

forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

Our team can: help you understand more about IBD, diagnosis

and treatment options provide information to help you to live well

with your condition help you understand and access disability

benefits be there to listen if you need someone to talk to put you in touch with a trained support

volunteer who has a personal experience of IBD

CONTACT US BY:

Telephone: 0300 222 5700*

Mon, Tue, Wed and Fri – 9 am to 5 pm

Thu – 9 am to 1 pm

Email: info@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk

Web Chat (Live Online): see our website for details

@CrohnsColitisEL

The East London Network has made every reasonable effort to ensure the content of this newsletter is accurate, but accepts no responsibility for any errors or omission. The views of the contributors do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of Crohn’s and Colitis UK and no reference in this newsletter to any product or service is intended as a recommendation.

If you have received this newsletter by post and would be happy to receive future editions by email please provide your name, membership number and email address to networks@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk. This will save the network valuable funds which can be used to benefit all those affected by Inflammatory Bowel

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

PICNIC IN THE PARK Sunday 30th July

Time: Any time between 12-3pm

Venue: Victoria Park, Grove Road, London, E3

5TB

Bring a picnic or buy food from nearby Pavillion

Café (with toilets), and chat to your fellow IBD

community.

FUNDRAISING QUIZ NIGHT Wednesday 20th September

Time: 7pm

Venue: The Dog and Truck, Shadwell

Please turn up on the night and bring your

friends ! Its free to take part, no need to book

ahead.

MONTHLY COFFEE MORNING & IBD LONDON PATIENT EDUCATION PRO-GRAMME See details on page 3.

Answers to Meet the Team: 1.) Stephen 2.)

Monica 3.) Grant 4.) Leanne 5.) Pamela 6.) El

7.) Laura

LOCAL FUNDRAISING

The East London Network have reached out

to several supermarkets in the local area to

be a part of their Community Matters

@CrohnsAndColitisUKEastLondon/