In March 2010 I sustained a brain injury following a fall that I had in a ski resort. At the time myself & everyone around me were completely unaware of the impact of what would follow. I had hit the back of my head so hard that I had a 6 inch crack in my skull & was left with a hymatoma between the brain & skull itself. In time I further discovered that I had some frontal lobe damage amongst other things. My journey began that very day & continued for the next 3 years. My family were the most affected as I remained blissfully unaware of my personality change & what that was doing to myself & those around me. To say that we went through some dark times would be an understatement, only time would tell how things would eventually work out.

7 years on, I feel so incredibly grateful that my family & I came through this relatively unscathed. Other people aren't so fortunate...... This is why I have decided to take on the challenge of a 24 hour go Kart race as a solo driver, to try to raise money & awareness for Headway. 

Headway is the UK-wide charity that works to improve life after brain injury. Through its network of more than 125 groups and branches across the UK, it provides support, services and information to brain injury survivors, their families and carers, as well as to professionals in the health and legal fields.

What I am doing is pretty ridiculous but those of you who know me well, know that I am an all or nothing being. The challenge is both mentally & physically exhausting & involves a very strict training programme of diet & exercise which began back in January this year. 

In addition to the above I also coach rugby, where head injuries are becoming more and more common. Therefore, I feel that this is also an area that needs more awareness, support & funding. 

Brain injury can challenge every aspect of your life – walking, talking, thinking and feeling – and the losses can be severe and permanent. It can mean losing both the life you once lived and the person you once were.

Thank you for your support.