Pippa Clare Byrne is taking on the Isle of Man’s 85‑mile Parish Walk on June 20-21 for her sheep farming friend Anna, who now relies on portable oxygen following a life-changing lung disease diagnosis.

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Anna Kerruish, who farms at Ballafayle Farm in Maughold, was diagnosed with LAM (Lymphangioleiomyomatosis) – a rare lung disease that causes cysts to form in the lungs and gradually reduce the body’s ability to absorb oxygen – during Covid.

Despite this, the 46-year-old still works the farm every day, riding her quad bike across the hills of the 375-acre sheep farm, using portable oxygen to help her breathe.

Anna Kerruish and Pippa Clare Byrne on the farm

Pippa, who has known Anna since they were children, is raising funds for the charity LAM Action, which supports people with the disease, raises awareness, and funds vital research.

“Anna is one of the toughest, funniest, most headstrong people I know, with a deep love for her animals and the land,” said Pippa.

“She is a farmer through and through. She’s out on her quad bike every day looking after the farm with her oxygen carried in her rucksack and takes it all in her stride.”

Anna was diagnosed with LAM in 2020, ‘completely out of the blue’.

Anna Kerruish and Pippa Clare Byrne in Pippa's shop

Within months, she suffered the first of many lung collapses and endured eleven chest drains and multiple surgeries.

She spent four weeks at Noble's Hospital and eight weeks at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital without visitors due to Covid restrictions and has been stable since her discharge in 2021.

Pippa, 40, who runs The Natural Apothecary in Ramsey, will be hoping that this year’s Parish Walk will be less eventful than last year’s, when she ended up in hospital after becoming seriously unwell just hours after finishing.

“I went to bed after the race and woke up about an hour later to discover my heart rate had dropped to 28 beats per minute

"I temporarily lost my vision, collapsed at the top of the stairs and fell, knocking myself out.”

Thankfully, Pippa made a speedy recovery; she believes the episode was caused by the sheer physical strain of the 85‑mile walk and says she’s better prepared this time.

“I’ll be using electrolytes and some of my own supportive herbal remedies for energy – the things I know work for me, and I’ll have a support car with spare clothing and supplies.

"I just want to give myself the best chance of finishing well and staying well this time.”

Anna, whose family has farmed at Ballafayle for more than 300 years, praises the work of LAM Action and its mission to support and empower those affected by the condition, educate healthcare professionals, and drive forward vital research.

“LAM Action does vital work supporting people living with this condition, and it’s great to see so many people coming together to raise awareness and funds.

"I’ll be proud to be at Maughold, cheering walkers on and supporting Pippa’s fundraising efforts.”

The Isle of Man Parish Walk is an annual 85‑mile (137km) continuous race‑walking event in which competitors must visit all 17 of the island’s parish churches within 24 hours – a test of endurance that pushes even experienced walkers to their limits.

Ballafayle is a UNESCO Biosphere IOM registered primarily grass-growing sheep farm producing about 1000 lambs a year that trades under the Red Tractor Quality Assured Scheme and produces lamb for Isle of Man Meats.

LAM Action is run almost entirely by volunteers and relies on donations and fundraising for its income, with close links, though not part of the NHS National Centre for LAM in Nottingham.