On September the 13th 2025, I’ll be running a 100km Ultramarathon along the River Thames in aid of Smile4Wessex. The charity provides funding for cutting-edge equipment and facilities for The Wessex Neurological Centre at University Hospital Southampton.

In August last year, my wife Ellie suffered an intracerebral haemorrhage and was rushed to UHS and into the care of those at The Wessex Neurological Centre, ICU department. Following a number of provoked seizures triggered by the bleed, the decision was taken to perform a life saving craniotomy on September the 2nd and Ellie was placed in a medically induced coma. Ellie woke up 3 days later and spent a further 2 weeks at the centre before continuing her rehabilitation in Salisbury and at Western Community Hospital. She returned home on November 13th, having relearnt how to speak, eat, stand and walk again. The side affects of the stroke are still ever present with Ellie being unable to use her left arm, but it was very nearly much worse.

The care provided at The Wessex Neurological Centre was faultless both in patient care but also the support they give to loved ones. We still live with the aftermath of Ellie’s stroke today as we find a new normal but it is only possible due to the incredible work the surgeons, doctors and nurses who provided life saving treatment and for that we’ll be forever grateful.