Brave chef bounces back - and now plans to tackle half-marathon

Stephen Wharton, a 47-year-old from Catterick, is proving he’s well on the road to recovery by taking part in this year’s Great North Run.

He was diagnosed with chronic ulcerative colitis in January last year after suffering acute pain and illness for two years.

He had to undergo life saving surgery and then spent four months in the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton for aftercare.

Since then it’s been a long slow climb back to health and fitness - but the father-of-two is now in training for his debut run in the half marathon on September 13.

He’s now up to 10-mile runs during the week, park runs every weekend and regular swimming sessions.

Despite the surgery, Steve, who now works in hospitality training, is determined to finish the event in under two hours and ten minutes.

And he will he will be cheered along the route by his wife Anita and twin daughters who are full of admiration for his great recovery.

“I can’t believe I’ve got back to full fitness after such a relatively short time and am so grateful to the medical team at Friarage Hospital who looked after me so well,” he said.

“My employers at Babcock Skills and Training were so supportive throughout, particularly my immediate boss and the team I work alongside.”

Steve will be raising funds for St John Ambulance, the charity which will be providing first aid cover for the Great North Run and is one of many medical organisations which support the run.

This year more than 100 highly trained staff and volunteers including cycle responders will be on hand to tend to the first aid needs of both runners and supporters as part of a multi-functional medical team.

St John Ambulance will be covering 10 medical hubs along the route and will have eight ambulances at the event.

Steve is hoping to raise at least £600 for the charity. To support him visit justgiving.com/S-Wharton/

* For further details on the condition visit www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk