At the beginning of April this year, during a half term break, Sarah had an ear infection and a burst eardrum. We visited the Royal Glamorgan Hospital and she was prescribed antibiotics and pain killers.

The following morning after a night of extreme headaches and vomiting we went to our local doctor’s surgery. The doctor sent us straight to the Princess of Wales Hospital. Over the course of 3 days, they drained an inner ear infection and later discharged her with an antibiotic prescription. However, Sarah continued to suffer and unfortunately, I found her unconscious and un-responsive.

To cut a long story short, Sarah was rushed to the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff where she was diagnosed with a serious brain infection caused by meningococcal meningitis. It’s now been nigh on 5 weeks since she became ill and at this point in time Sarah is still in Intensive Care Unit.

It’s far easier for us than it is for Sarah herself but still it’s been a tough time for me and our respective families however our pains have been eased somewhat with the love and well-wishes from our friends and especially through the care and attention of all of the NHS staff we’ve encountered – from the Paramedic teams we first saw to the nurses, ICU consultants, therapists, micro-biologists and neurosurgeons we’ve met. We were told early on that Sarah’s case is particularly complicated and that the road to recovery will be both long and uncertain.

Compared to what these dedicated people have put in my efforts to try and repay in some small way seem almost futile but I can’t but help try. For that reason, I’m participating in the CARTEN (Cardiff to Tenby – a distance of 171 KM or 107 miles) bike ride on Saturday, the 11th May along with my good friends, Olly, Stephen and Frank. We registered for this event some time ago and Sarah was to be our support driver – driving to Tenby to pick us up and bring us home. This cycle-ride was intended to be just that – a cycle ride but now, with your help we hope to raise some well-deserved funds for the hospital. Should you be in a position to sponsor us on this ride then it would be greatly appreciated. All funds will go to the Cardiff and Vale Health Charity (the charitable arm of the Cardiff Heath, University Hospital of Wales).

Lots of love and thanks, Morgan, Olly, Stephen and Frank