A 15-YEAR-OLD girl struck down with a lifelong disease took steps to raise awareness of her illness.

Brave Annabel Flanagan, who has been off school since being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, has completed a 5k charity walk in Manchester.

Annabel, from Westhoughton, was struck down with the illness – a type of inflammatory bowel disorder – in February this year. Since then, she has had to undergo surgery, not eat food for two months and has been subject to a special liquid medicated drink every day.

This, along with iron infusions and numerous other medications, has meant that Annabel has been unable to attend her school – St Joseph’s RC High School in Horwich – until two weeks ago.

Her mother, Samantha, aged 42, said that being away from her friends and teachers left her daughter feeling that she wanted to do something to show everyone why she has been away. She said: “Annabel has been extremely poorly over the last few months. Not only has she been having lots of tests and has been in and out of hospital but she has also been coming to terms with this chronic lifelong illness which has not been easy.

“But being away from her friends at school has been really hard for her because she felt that they did not understand why she had been away.”

After hearing about ‘WALK IT’ – a series of nationwide walks that aim to raise awareness of the issues surrounding Crohn’s disease and a similar disease called Colitis – Annabel decided that she wanted to join in.

Mrs Flanagan said: “Annabel really wanted her friends and teachers at school to understand why she has been off school so thought that if she raised money for a charity which supports her issues, it would help.

“However, it was also a chance for her to meet other people who have the same issues as her.”

After encouraging people at St Joseph’s to donate anything they could, Annabel was given £143 to complete the 5k walk on Saturday in Manchester.

Along with Mum, Dad, Jamie and brother and sister, Richard and Helena, helping her along the way, she was able to complete the course.

Only in its second year, the event was supported by hundreds of people, and Mrs Flanagan was pleased with the turnout and of her daughter’s efforts.

“We are all so proud of Annabel. Whilst it has taken her a while to come to terms with her illness but she has just been amazing through it all,” she said. “The event was a big success and there were hundreds of people and families who came to show their support.”

Annabel has already improved on some of her grades as she wanted to prove to everyone that she has still been working hard, according to her mother.

Mrs Flanagan added: “Annabel would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who have been by her side every day willing her to get better.

“Also to her friends and family at St Joseph’s who have helped her feel like she has the ability to stay strong in difficult times.”

Funds raised through WALK IT directly enable the charity Chron’s and Colitis UK to do vital new research, answer more calls from people needing help and provide patient packs to hospitals across the UK.

For more information about Crohn’s disease visit www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/