I’m running the half-marathon for the first time on the 26th May! I was motivated to run this for Alopecia UK after my own experience with the condition.

When I was 13 I noticed my first bald patch on my scalp, and shortly after was diagnosed with alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is a form of alopecia where small circular patches of hair on your scalp start to fall out. These patches usually begin coin-sized but then can grow and join with one another, and can end in a lot of hair loss. There is no known cause, however it is thought to be an autoimmune condition caused external factors such as stress.

Over the first 2 years of my condition, patch upon patch fell out until I was left with minimal strands of hair left. My confidence had been completely knocked, after having long, thick hair my whole life, it was difficult to accept what was happening. Going to school and socialising was met with constant worry about what I looked like and what others would say about it.

I then wore a wig for almost 3 years when I was fortunate to see remarkable hair regrowth to the point where in the summer of 2020 I had a full head of hair so could take it off.
Since then I am lucky to be in the position to have retained most of my hair and only experience occasional patches.

I understand not everyone does see hair regrowth, and this is why I want to raise money for Alopecia UK.

Alopecia UK are a small national charity which aim to support those with Alopecia in 3 ways:

They aim to support by providing impartial information, advice and support to help people feel less isolated.

They aim to raise awareness to the general public and healthcare professionals about alopecia and its psychological impact.

They aim to fund research into its causes, to give people with alopecia hope with the aim of finding treatments, and ultimately, a cure.

Although being the biggest Alopecia charity in the UK, they aim to grow further. Raising money is vital to ensure they can strive to meet their aims to support the Alopecia community, and ultimately work towards the goal of finding a cure so no one has to endure the psychological consequences of the condition.

Any donations would be greatly appreciated to this hard-working and inspiring charity. Annabelle Reid