I am running the London Marathon on 21st April 2024 in aid of The National Brain Appeal. One in six of us is, or will be, affected by a neurological disorder. That’s 14.7 million mum’s dads, brothers, sisters friends and colleagues in the UK alone. Its the challenge of our times.

The National Brain Appeal raises funds to advance treatment and research at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology - together known as ‘Queen Square’.

My Story

Last June I was discharged from hospital after suffering from the brain infection, viral meningo-encephalitis, a rare infection of the brain, which causes inflammation of the brain’s linings, with 6000 cases a year in the UK. Following admission, I was placed in the Intensive Treatment Unit on life support when my heart beat reached 250bpm and my kidneys started to fail. This was a very traumatic and worrying time for my family. I was brought out of the induced coma 8 days later having overcome the infection thanks to the medical expertise and care of a multitude of amazing NHS staff, to whom I will be forever grateful. I was discharged thankfully with no immediate legacy issues, and following a three month recovery period returned full-time to work.

The photograph above (taken just before I was discharged) shows me with my mum, who is a person living with dementia who I care for every week.

I hope you will be able to support me and The National Brain Appeal to advance the great work they do. @BrainAppeal nationalbrainappeal.org

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