Resilient Poppy takes on Ultra Marathon Challenge   

Poppy Penahul Smith (LHS 2018) will soon be embarking on the biggest challenge of her life to date, as she takes part in July’s Race to the Stones event to raise money for The Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Being diagnosed with this genetic condition herself, it primarily affects her lungs and digestive system, which causes her to have chronic infections and reduced lung function. But this diagnosis will not hold her back as she takes on running the 50km ultra marathon over the course of two days.

During this time, she will ensure to take her daily 35 tablets that she needs to take each day to simply keep her alive and well. ‘CF is an invisible disease. From looking at me you’d probably say I was one of the healthiest and fittest individuals. But here I am taking several tablets a day, having check-ups every 2 months and being told I’m roughly half-way through my life.’

Poppy, who works at Fever-Tree Germany in Munich as the Trade Marketing Manager has so far reached her original target of £1,000 and has now pushed this target up to £5,000 – she has currently raised over £3,200.

Poppy says: ‘This isn’t a sob story or a plea for sympathy – because quite frankly I hate sympathy! CF in many ways has made me stronger and more resilient. From the beginning I have had to deal with managing a complicated condition, making me an extremely organised person.

She adds: ‘CF has made me resilient. CF has made me strong, despite the weaknesses it inflicts on my body. CF has made me vow to live 80 years of life in 40 years, and I can promise you I am achieving it! Despite all of this it is not a disease I would wish on my worst enemy.

She concludes; ‘I am raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust to continue their incredible development in research and medication for people with CF like me, making our lives much better.’

You can read more about Poppy’s full story here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/poppy-smith-race-to-the-stones.