Martin and Andy Land's End to John O'Groats

Featured challenge events

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Virtual Events

Virtual London Marathon

TCS London Marathon My Way

Sunday 21 April 2024 You can now take part in the London Marathon virtually (from wherever you are in the world) to raise funds for NASS! You can do the virtual any way you like over 24 hours - walk it, run it, do it in stages, the choice is yours!

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Virtual Race - Dog Jog (all year round)

Dog Jogs are a fantastic opportunity for you and your canine companion to get some fresh air and exercise. If you and your four-legged friend are just beginning your journey to being more active and improving your fitness, and are looking for a relaxed, friendly and fun challenge to help motivate you, then Dog Jog is for you!

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2024

Your stories

Read the stories of those who've taken on challenge events to raise vital funds for NASS

Chris Wheeler Great Western Run 2023

Chris' story

Thanks to the support I have received from NASS, I am fundraising for them as I want to give others the chance to get diagnosed earlier that the current average time of 8.5 years. It shouldn’t take that long!

Read Chris' story

Gary Mason

Gary's story

I’ve decided to take on the Snowdonia marathon for NASS to support the great work they do to help raise awareness of AS and help towards living with the condition, in particular, assisting with getting the right diagnosis at an early stage.”

Read Gary's story

Sarah's story

Sarah shares her journey to diagnosis, how she has used swimming to help manage her symptoms and as a way to incorporate movement and exercise into her routine.

Read Sarah's story

The impact of your support

  • £10 can enable our Helpline team to respond to a call or email and provide guidance and advice to anyone affected by axial SpA.
  • £25 could help provide a pack of NASS guidebooks for a local axial SpA clinic.
  • £50 could help our team provide 1:1 welfare and benefits support for someone living with axial SpA.
  • £100 could help by contributing towards the cost of one of our weekly My AS My Life sessions to help people living with axial SpA manage their symptoms between hospital appointments.
  • £250 could help us run an online session to help up to 20 people learn how to manage symptoms of axial SpA, such as extreme pain, severe exhaustion and poor sleep.

We urgently need your support

Your support for NASS and people with axial SpA is more critical than ever:

  • As the NHS recovers from the pandemic, 67% of people with axial SpA are being left to cope with debilitating pain, exhaustion and fatigue alone.
  • The current economic climate has meant that we have seen a reduction in fundraising income.
  • With a cost-of-living crisis, more people than ever need support to claim life-changing disability benefits they are entitled to.

Axial SpA works silently. We don’t.

Axial SpA is an inflammatory condition of the spine and joints.  Inflammation where muscles attach to the bones, causes extreme pain. It’s an invisible and often misdiagnosed condition. Often leaving people feeling powerless, in increasing pain and extreme exhaustion. If left untreated, it can permanently fuse bones together.

NASS is the only charity in the UK dedicated to supporting people with axial SpA. NASS doesn’t receive any statutory funding. We rely on your kindness and generosity, and other people like you, to help us transform the diagnosis, treatment and care of people with axial SpA and help more people live well with the condition sooner.

Get in touch

If you have any questions about challenge events, please email fundraising@nass.co.uk or call 020 8741 1515 and press option 2.

Contact the fundraising team

Other ways to fundraise

  • 220k

    Adults in the UK

    1 in 200 of the adult population in the UK have axial SpA (AS). That's twice as many as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.

  • 24

    Average age

    Axial SpA (AS) is a condition that affects young people. Symptoms start late teens to early twenties, with the average age of onset being 24.

  • 8.5

    Years to diagnosis

    The current average delay to diagnosis from when symptoms start is 8.5 years, by which irreversible damage to the spine may have occurred.

  • 59%

    Mental health

    59% of people with axial SpA (AS) report experiencing mental health problems compared to 25% of those with musculoskeletal conditions overall.