As many of you know, I've had quite the journey over the last 10 years. In 2015 I unfortunately suffered a brain injury, and as a result ended up with a neurological condition called Dystonia. This, along with the brain injury itself, caused issues with coordination, muscle control, spasms, and chronic pain; among many other effects. Over the next 5 years, this progressively stole my mobility, to the point where I could only walk with splints and a cane, and was using a wheelchair for any distance. I started intensive physical rehab, along with new medical intervention in 2019.

In 2020 I re-learnt to walk without aids.

In 2021 I re-learnt how to walk with an almost completely normal gait again.

In 2022 & 2023, I started full time employment again, in a physical job, working with horses.

In 2024...I re-learnt to RUN! Something 2019 Cat never thought would be possible.

In 2025, I'm taking on my biggest challenge yet, and taking full advantage of the second chance I have been given. I'm going to run a Half Marathon!

I'm dedicating this challenge to The Avon Centre, in Henbury, Bristol - an independent local charity dedicated to providing the benefits of horses and nature to Disabled and Disadvantaged people. The Avon Centre changes the lives of many, many, people every day. I am one of them, and that is why I want to do what I can to give back.

Put simply - if it was not for The Avon Centre, and the Avon RDA Group, I am certain I would not have made the almost full recovery that I have today.

From being able to continue vital, and unique, physiotherapy through their RDA Program, to targeted physio on their mechanical horse simulator, to being able to start working with horses again due to the opportunities they provide to ALL. The Avon Centre has played the most pivotal part in my physical and mental recovery over the last 10 years. Day in and day out they continue to help others in the same way, and have done for 40 years. Let's enable them to continue changing lives for another 40 years and beyond!

Here are some quick figures, of specific things your donations could help:

- £5 could pay for a week's worth of feed for one horse, of the Centre's herd of life changing equines

- £10 could pay for a bale of shavings, to keep the herd in comfort when in their stable

- £50 could cover the cost of a veterinary consult, to keep the herd of horses in tip top wellness and health

- £100 could subsidise one RDA lesson, for a group of 5 disabled riders

- £500 could help with the maintenance and servicing of the Centre's vital pieces of equipment, such as the mechanical equine simulator, the arena hoist, or the lift in the main building; to enable ALL to access their services.

I still have some lingering effects from my injury, such as spasms when fatigued, and some remaining weakness and coordination issues; so this half marathon will be a HUGE challenge. But I'm determined to give it my best shot!!

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page, and considering a donation to my chosen cause.

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.