Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

In October 2019, whilst out to lunch, I had sudden sensation that warm water was quickly poured inside my head and filled my neck. A couple of hours and an MRI scan later, it was found I had two aneurysms in my brain, one had ruptured causing a subarachnoid brain haemorrhage (SAH). I had to have surgery on my brain to repair the ruptured aneurysm and to stop it from bleeding. I had a procedure called endovascular coiling during which platinum coils were packed into the aneurysm to stop blood flowing to it. I'm extremely lucky to have survived.

I spent a few weeks at Salford Royal hospital, in the high dependency unit to start with and then on a neurology ward. Everyone involved did an amazing job.

It can take a year or more to recover from surviving a ruptured aneurysm. There are continuing psychological and physical consequences from having such an experience, but with help from those around me I know I'll press on. I still have fatigue throughout the day and headaches, but I know I'm very fortunate to still be here.

I started getting back onto my bike in January, I slowly went from tentative 2 or 3 mile rides in the freezing cold to check if I could even hold my balance to being able to cycle further each ride.

I hope to ride a century in one day before the anniversary of the brain haemorrhage to raise funds for BASIC.

BASIC exists to serve people recovering from acquired brain injury and spinal injury and their families. The charity specialises in centre-based services for people who have undergone treatment for a traumatic head injury, brain haemorrhage, brain tumour, stroke or similar conditions. Their services also help people manage long-term neurological conditions.