Hi All,

I am fundraising for Changing Faces in the 2024 London Marathon. The cause is very close to my heart. Here's a very brief summary of my story;

In February 2023, I had a very serious accident while skiing in Italy.

I broke my pelvis, many ribs, punctured my lung, dislocated my shoulder but, most significantly, I broke virtually every bone in my face.

What immediately followed was a lifesaving 10-hour emergency surgery to carefully remove large amounts of bone from my skull that were crushed beyond repair. These sections of bone were replaced with temporary titanium plates that held my head together.

Afterwards, I was left with a shaved head, a large scar that extends from ear to ear and a face that (frankly) I could no longer recognize. The first team of doctors were exceptional and, rightly so, prioritized my survival and not my appearance. I remember seeing myself for the first time in the mirror - I still cannot quite describe the feeling I felt.

My body was obviously going through significant trauma but it was the mental trauma that was becoming more of a problem. Before the accident I loved being out with friends, talking and especially meeting new people. I was (for better or worse!) always the loudest voice in the room. With my 'new' face for lack of a better term, I no longer wanted to be seen. Initially, I wouldn't allow even my closest friends to come and visit me. If I had to leave the house, I would wear a hoodie to cover the scar and my face. I stopped looking at people when they would talk to me. I felt embarrassed about looking visibly different.

3 months on and I had my second major facial reconstruction. Another arduous surgery, another long recovery with a new team of superb surgeons led by Prof Simon Holmes at the Royal London Hospital. They did such an amazing job fixing me up. I feel confident again and embrace the little lumps, bumps and scars that are left over. They are part of my story, but it has been a long journey and one that I am still on.

My point is, I know what it's like to feel like everyone is looking at you. I know what it is like to look at yourself and feel scared, embarrassed and at some points a bit confused.

This is why I want to raise as much money as possible for Changing Faces. They are an amazing charity who help support people living with a visible difference through mental health support, counselling and well being services as well as various other practical steps such as skin camouflage to help people feel more confident in their daily life. They also run workshops for all age groups which act as a place for people to meet and share their experiences of life with a scar, mark or condition that affects their appearance.

I really want to make a tangible difference. Please, please, please donate whatever you can for such a worthy cause and one that is close to my heart. Your generosity will be greatly appreciated.