Ronan and Meg Go Orange for AS

“I think it is important that we all do our bit to keep NASS information and help available for ourselves and each other.”

Ronan, who lives with axial SpA, and his girfriend, Meg, have chosen to Go Orange for AS this summer to raise funds for NASS. On 9 August 2025, they will  be walking 22 miles in total, from their home in Scarborough to the Whitby end of the line. Here is Ronan’s story.

“I was diagnosed with axial spondyloarthritis at 19. My hip pain started at around 15 and got progressively worse to the point where I was off work for eight months and having to use crutches to help me get around. For years doctors put it down to growing pains or pulled muscles and I was left to try and manage the pain with paracetamol. After four years of persistence, I was finally seen by a surgeon who recognised the condition instantly from my X-rays. Within a matter of weeks, I had been diagnosed with axial SpA and began a course of biologics which completely transformed my life. 

The NASS leaflets that I was given at the hospital, along with the videos online, guide books and all of the information on the NASS website helped me so much to understand my condition and how to come to terms with it. Knowing that there is someone at the end of the Helpline, should I ever need it, really helps. I think it is important that we all do our bit to keep NASS information and help available for ourselves and each other.

I feel very lucky to have come such a long way since my diagnosis; from barely being able to put one foot in front of the other, to now being relatively pain-free, working a full-time job, finally feeling able to exercise more and walk long distances such as these.

It is safe to say I will never take walking for granted!” – Ronan

Ronan and Meg have already exceeded their target and raised £300! Support their Going Orange for AS by donating and sharing their JustGiving page.