A WOMAN who has spent nearly half her life suffering from chronic illness is taking on a challenge of epic proportions.

Shoreham resident Tracy “Tig” Savage has lived with her disorder for more than 20 years but, despite suffering constant pain and debilitating fatigue, she is about to embark on a nationwide project that would daunt most able-bodied people.

Project Route 50 UK will see Mrs Savage walk and cycle all over the country to meet 50 other people living with chronic illness.

Her aim is to raise awareness of the struggles endured by people afflicted with life shattering chronic diseases.

The 48-year-old said: “Just walking the ten minutes to the station is a massive achievement for me.

"My life has been extremely compromised by illness. But I hope to show those who feel useless and stuck that there is hope and also show those who think we are lazy or weak that the majority of us are doing our very best in difficult circumstances.”

Mrs Savage's disease - which started as ulcerative colitis, a form of bowel disease, caused malnourishment and dehydration.

It attacked her colon so severely she nearly died from blood poisoning and has led to several major operations.

It also resulted in further diagnosis of the under-active thyroid condition - Hashimoto’s Disease.

Further effects have included early menopause and problems with her joints and eyes.

She now manages all her symptoms with careful diet and lifestyle.

This makes holding down a job very difficult however she said she is committed to her recovery and hopes to show others a way forward.

Project 50 UK will raise money for - and awareness of Crohn’s Colitis and chronic illness - and has the full support of the National Association of Crohn’s and Colitis (NACC) and Scope.

The project is set to begin as soon as enough funds are raised. She hopes to be finished in the winter of 2017 in time to celebrate her 50th birthday.

She said: “It’s something of a miracle I made it to 43, I was so ill, in and out of hospital. There were times I was so bad I didn’t want to survive. So 50 feels like an achievement and I want to meet others who hold onto their better days to see them through the worst.”