Follow me on my journey to raise awareness of Lupus and become a marathon runner.
About John Hibbs
John has been a keen sportsman from an early age enjoying both cricket and football. He joined Crewe FC in 1991 at the tender age 13. Unfortunately, his dreams were not to be realised and he was forced to retire due to the onset of arthritis, which has seen him endure the associated aches and pains of the disease. He has undergone numerous operations, and now attempts to combat arthritis with medicine, a controlled diet and exercise but continues to battle against the limiting effects of ‘dodgy knees’ as he calls them.
In May 2008 John’s sister, Viki, was diagnosed with lupus aged just 25. As a family, they had never heard about lupus which affects predominantly women but can also strike men and children too. Lupus causes the immune system to become over-active and as a result can affect any part of the body with the swelling of joints, hair loss, extreme fatigue, rashes on the face and body and in some cases, where infection attacks vital organs, lupus can lead to death.
After watching the 2009 London Marathon, John decided to take up the challenge in order to show his support for Viki and raise much needed awareness of lupus.
So far ‘Team Hibbsy’ has raised over £16,000 and have no intention of stopping there. As well as raising funds they are committed to raising awareness to increase the chance of early diagnosis in new patients.
The highlight of this mission came in October 2009 when John tweeted Sarah Brown with the hope that she would re-tweet a message to her many followers. He could not have dreamt of the response that followed – she tweeted back with the offer of hosting an evening reception for inside 10 Downing Street to talk about lupus. Within two weeks we were enjoying the most magical night inside No.10, putting lupus into the thoughts of thousands!
October is Lupus Awareness Month so the campaign to raise the profile of the charity hots up at this time of year. Fundraising events for ‘Team Hibbsy’ have included charity curry nights at the Padma Cannock, the sale of signed portraits of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, car boot sales, and many fundraising events in Cannock Shopping Centre which has supported us over the last year.
John continues to tweet about lupus (@hibbsy) as well as pointing people in the direction of this website to learn more. The website continues to receive hits from all over the world and with the support of JustGiving he has received sponsors from as far afield as Canada!
John may have dodgy knees but that hasn’t stopped him, and in September 2010 he ran the Great North Run. He has also completed the 2011 London Marathon & will be attempting at hat-trick of London Marathons after securing a 2012 place.
Throughout John’s journey when the training has been tough he has been spurred on by Viki’s courage and determination to overcome lupus.
In August 2011 John received the wonderful news that he had been nominated by members of the local community for the London Olympic Torchbearer ‘Moment to shine’ campaign for his tireless work to raise awareness & funds to support lupus patients and their families.
Planning is underway for what will be John’s toughest challenge yet, cycling 200 miles in a single day from Lupus Way Ellesmere Port to Lupus Street London. Find out more & get involved!
In October 2011 John founded The Hibbs Lupus Trust to raise the profile of lupus and to support patients in his local community. Working with the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust Foundation the charity is already actively involved in the community and has received fantastic support from local businesses as well as celebrity endorsement from Sarah Brown, Beverley Knight and Stephen Fry.
His moto: “Be All You Can Be!”
Name: John Hibbs
Age: 33
Birthday: 17th February
Pet: Bostin the Labrador
Hero: Steve Bull
Currently craving: Curry
Couldn’t live without: iPhone
Marathon PB: 5:43:33
Half Marathon PB: 2:21:18
Virgin London Marathon 2010, 2011 & Great North Run 2010 FINISHER!
About John Hibbs
In May 2008 John’s sister, Viki, was diagnosed with lupus aged just 25. As a family, they had never heard about lupus which affects predominantly women but can also strike men and children too. Lupus causes the immune system to become over-active and as a result can affect any part of the body with the swelling of joints, hair loss, extreme fatigue, rashes on the face and body and in some cases, where infection attacks vital organs, lupus can lead to death.
After watching the 2009 London Marathon, John decided to take up the challenge in order to show his support for Viki and raise much needed awareness of lupus.
So far ‘Team Hibbsy’ has raised over £16,000 and have no intention of stopping there. As well as raising funds they are committed to raising awareness to increase the chance of early diagnosis in new patients.
The highlight of this mission came in October 2009 when John tweeted Sarah Brown with the hope that she would re-tweet a message to her many followers. He could not have dreamt of the response that followed – she tweeted back with the offer of hosting an evening reception for inside 10 Downing Street to talk about lupus. Within two weeks we were enjoying the most magical night inside No.10, putting lupus into the thoughts of thousands!
October is Lupus Awareness Month so the campaign to raise the profile of the charity hots up at this time of year. Fundraising events for ‘Team Hibbsy’ have included charity curry nights at the Padma Cannock, the sale of signed portraits of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, car boot sales, and many fundraising events in Cannock Shopping Centre which has supported us over the last year.
John continues to tweet about lupus (@hibbsy) as well as pointing people in the direction of this website to learn more. The website continues to receive hits from all over the world and with the support of JustGiving he has received sponsors from as far afield as Canada!
John may have dodgy knees but that hasn’t stopped him, and in September 2010 he ran the Great North Run. He has also completed the 2011 London Marathon & will be attempting at hat-trick of London Marathons after securing a 2012 place.
Throughout John’s journey when the training has been tough he has been spurred on by Viki’s courage and determination to overcome lupus.
In August 2011 John received the wonderful news that he had been nominated by members of the local community for the London Olympic Torchbearer ‘Moment to shine’ campaign for his tireless work to raise awareness & funds to support lupus patients and their families.
Planning is underway for what will be John’s toughest challenge yet, cycling 200 miles in a single day from Lupus Way Ellesmere Port to Lupus Street London. Find out more & get involved!
In October 2011 John founded The Hibbs Lupus Trust to raise the profile of lupus and to support patients in his local community. Working with the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust Foundation the charity is already actively involved in the community and has received fantastic support from local businesses as well as celebrity endorsement from Sarah Brown, Beverley Knight and Stephen Fry.
His moto: “Be All You Can Be!”
Name: John Hibbs Age: 33 Birthday: 17th February Pet: Bostin the Labrador Hero: Steve Bull Currently craving: Curry Couldn’t live without: iPhone Marathon PB: 5:43:33 Half Marathon PB: 2:21:18 Virgin London Marathon 2010, 2011 & Great North Run 2010 FINISHER!