Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

This June is the first ever official Chiari and Syringomyelia UK awareness month! - That's a big deal and I wanted to do something to mark the occasion! - Keep reading because you can own Juno the elephant!

In 2012 I was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation and Intracranial Hypertension. I had just started my "independent life" as a wife to be, a newly qualified teacher and had just moved into my first home. As you can imagine, the walls felt as though they had crumbled when I got the news of a complicated brain condition. It explained why I felt so ill and confused!

I was in a very lost and confused little bubble for a long while until a nurse from a different hospital that was not involved in my care recognised the condition due to a training day she had received from the Ann Conroy Trust. She told me I should get in touch with them and it was the best thing I have done along this "journey" (I hate that word)!

As this condition is rare, there is continuous research and training being carried out. The Ann Conroy Trust are heavily involved in this and always have (and promote) positivity and enthusiasm despite the desperate and painful times that patients often find themselves in.

I have learned so much from the team at The Ann Conroy Trust and they have given me the "tools" that I need to get through consultations (which can sometimes be very difficult). They have offered advice on "next steps" in the hope of getting me some progression and have opened up a network where I can meet other suffers and their families. This has been of huge comfort.

So, why the elephant?

I wanted to make something to mark the occasion.Something I enjoy doing is making crochet toys. I asked the support group what they would want to see, I also asked my friends and family and the most popular that came up was an Elephant. I have named it Juno because my challenge is going to be open throughout the month of June. For every donation made, I will be making a small heart - these will be stuffed into the Elephant.

Do you want to own Juno the Elephant?

It's quite simple really. Firstly make a donation (Every penny will help).  In the comment section please state that you would like to be in with the chance to win. *please note that anyone that wishes to remain anonymous will unfortunately NOT be entered into the draw*. The draw will be made on Wednesday 1^st July 2015 at 7pm GMT. REMEMBER, YOU MUST LEAVE YOUR NAME IN ORDER TO BE IN FOR A CHANCE OF WINNING!  (if possible leave twitter/facebook/instagram details too so I can easily contact you if you win).

*names of everyone wishing to enter will be put into a computer randomiser to select a winner.

Thank you for popping by on here. Please, please donate whatever you can. Every penny will help the Ann Conroy Trust to continue their work on the research and training projects and support people like me, and our families! Okay, I might be unlucky to have a brain condition but how lucky am I that this charity exists?! Please help to keep it going! x.

You can follow my progress on the project by visiting my blog: http:littlegoldendaffodil.blogspot.co.uk

Facebook page: The Little Golden Daffodil.

tweet: @hangoldendaff

Please pop me a message to say you have donated! It will be easier to find you to let you know if you're the winner! xx

To find out more about the trust please go to their website.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.