Newton-le-Willow’s mum completes Crohn’s disease and colitis UK challenge

Shell Unwin has taken on a month-long challenge to walk 30 minutes a day to raise money and raise awareness of Crohn’s disease, a lifelong condition that causes parts of the digestive system to become inflamed.

Their son Adam, now 22, was diagnosed with the disease in 2016 after an illness that led to a breakdown.

After he was hospitalized, the family discovered that Adam was severely malnourished and dehydrated, and was entering the early stages of organ failure due to his undiagnosed condition.

The family have since tried to raise awareness about the disease, with Shell’s Walking Challenge being the most recent mission to raise funds for Crohn’s and Colitis UK.

Shell took up this challenge at the beginning of January (Image: Shell Unwin)

On completing the 31-day challenge, Shell, 46, said: “I managed to complete this challenge in just a few days that I missed due to family commitments.

“I made the minutes well and felt good that I fully achieved my goal.

“While my goal of £50 was small, I know it is very well received by this amazing charity.

“My son, who has Crohn’s disease, was the first to congratulate me.

“I send a huge thank you to the people who sponsored me.”

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Shell also shared the painful reality of seeing her child suffer the effects of the disease.

She added: “It’s appalling. You see the pain they are going through and there is nothing you can do and you have to be there to support them.

“There have been times when he’s had an abscess and they’ve been trying to put him on and he’s screaming in pain while there’s nothing you can do yourself.

Following the achievement, Shell hopes to take on a similar challenge to raise autism and ADHD awareness for their autistic son Toby, who is known in the community for his charitable efforts.