Zoe Renshaw raises awareness for World IBD Day dressed as a whoopee cushion

Zoe Renshaw in her giant whoopee cushion costume

Littleborough’s Zoe Renshaw marked World IBD Day on Friday (19 May) by donning a giant whoopee cushion costume for the day at her busy job in bid management.

She even wore the costume to Pure Gym at Sandbrook Park, where staff helped her complete a workout, much to the amusement of other gym-goers.

World IBD Day aims to raise awareness of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, which affect more than 300,000 people across the UK.

Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are chronic conditions in which symptoms vary from person to person and will range from mild to severe.

Crohn’s can affect any part of the digestive system, but commonly affects the last part of the small intestine (ileum) or the colon. It can affect the lining of the bowel or deeper into the bowel wall.

Ulcerative Colitis causes inflammation and ulceration of the lining of the rectum and colon, where tiny ulcers develop on the lining surface, which may bleed and produce pus.

Symptoms may change over time, with periods of remission with little or no symptoms, alternating with ‘flare-ups’ where symptoms are more active.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which is often confused with IBD due to similar symptoms, is not an inflammatory bowel disease.

Zoe, who receives infusion treatments every eight weeks at Rochdale Infirmary for severe Crohn’s and Colitis, said: “The more people we get talking about Crohn's and Colitis, the less people will feel the need to shy away and hide when they feel ill or are having severe symptoms. Through my awareness group, Crohnies In Need, I have made life-long friends and feel much less isolated and able to do things that I didn't think I could before. Awareness is growing all the time, our invisible disability is becoming visible.”

Zoe has actively supported the UK’s leading charity on IBD, Crohn’s and Colitis UK for a number of years. She has raised close to £9,000 through many challenges, including running the 2014 and 2016 marathons in her whoopee cushion outfit.

Zoe is also chairwoman of the Ellenroad Engine House and an active member of both Littleborough Lions and LEAF.