On March 30th 2019 I made the ripe old age of 40. I celebrated this milestone with my wonderful wife, Samantha and 2 gorgeous children , Isabelle (12) and Noah (3).

Previously I had always been active, playing most sports especially football to a decent level aswell as working in a fairly active profession within the police.

Admittedly at the time of hitting 40, my activities started to reduce but I still tried to do as much as Icould.

Around this time I started to suffer from severe headaches but put this off as something I could deal with. These headaches continued until the weekend prior to 25th September 2019.

That particular Sunday my headache returned so much so that I had to go to bed. This resulted in me staying there until Wednesday 25th when Sam came up to wake me up to tell me that she had called an ambulance.

Trying to be the brave man I insisted that I didnt want to waste anybodys time.... little did I know what was going to happen and how I will be forever grateful to Sam for making that decision.

A short time later the ambulance arrived and insisted that I go to hospital.( this as much as i remember)

I am told that within 1/2 hour of arriving at Oldham Royal Hospital I had several seizures and had bit through my tongue, blocking my airways in the process and on the brink of dying as breathing tubes couldnt be administered.

It was also at this point that I was placed into a paralysed coma.

Thankfully the doctors managed to get me breathing again and whilst I was in the coma for 4 weeks the doctors diagnosed me with a condition called ‘cerebral venous sinus thrombosis’ ; a blood clot within the venous system within the brain.

Oldham hospital diagnosed this illness straight away but could not determine the reason why, as this illness only develops as a consequence of an infection.

It was later determined that I had an ear infection🙈

After a couple of weeks of stabilising me, hooked up to every machine imaginable I was transferred to Salford hospital. ( experts in neurology) where they operated straight away and supplied me with a tracheoscomy to help me breath naturally.

Thankfully this seemed to work and I gradually started to wake up.

I cant describe how horrifying the dreams and feelings I had whilst in the coma but I was so glad to come round to see my wonderful family, great friends and receive untold messages of support and comfort.

I soon realised however that my struggles were just begining as I realised that my legs weren t working and that every message I tried to tell my legs to do just wouldn t work; I couldnt move them and I certainly couldnt walk.

I stayed in hospital for another 2 weeks before insisting that I returned home to see my children.

Thankfully, after the help and support from everybody I managed to start moving my legs and gradually gained the strength to start walking.

As time as passed I find myself thanking everybody for their expertise, support and comfort that they have provided to me and the family.

I still struggle, still have a clot within the brain and still cant drive but wanted to do something to repay the wonderful staff within the nhs, not only for what they have done for me and my family but for everything they are doing on a day to day basis throughout this pandemic.

As such to conincide with my 42nd birthday I am going to run/walk 10 miles a day, starting on March 1st for 30 days (#300in30) and would appreciate it if you could show your support in whatever way possible to inturn support the wonderful NHS that saves so many lives and families on a daily basis.

Tim. Xxx