Story
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The 100 mile walk has been completed in six days. From Charmouth to Southampton the sun shone, surely a smile from Rich. It was sometimes gruelling and there were blisters and wobbly hips but it was an amazing and inspirational experience, set amidst spectacular scenery.
The welcome from the Wessex Neurological Centre team on arrival at Southampton was rewarding and humbling. An amount in excess of £50,000 (including Gift Aid) has been raised, which is truly amazing, and means that we have not only been able to provide the funds for Toni Belli’s project (see below), but also to provide over £10,000 toward additional equipment for the Smile4Rich Paediatric Video-Telemetry Appeal (please see the appeal web site at www.smile4rich.co.uk for further detail).
The generosity of everyone who has so kindly sponsored us has been overwhelming, but if you would still like to make a donation then please do. Every additional penny raised will benefit children with severe Epilepsy from across southern England by helping to provide the facilities needed to assess them for life-changing corrective surgery.
Thank you all so much.
Katie & Jane
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It is now just over a year since Rupert was struck down by a brain haemorrhage and the fantastic news is that he has made a full recovery and is back to his old ways!
However, the majority are not so lucky. Of the 8,500 or so people who suffer a brain haemorrhage each year in the UK, approximately 12% will die before receiving medical attention. Of those who do make it to hospital, around 40% will die within one month and more than one third of those who survive will have major neurological deficits and will be dependent on others for the activities of daily living.
The primary cause of this sudden deterioration in hospital is something called cerebral vasospasm which occurs around 3-10 days after the initial bleed and very often results in a further stroke.
A team led by Dr Toni Belli at the Wessex Neurological Centre in Southampton (where Rupert was treated) need additional funds of approx £40,000 to help fund their research to determine which patients are likely to suffer another stroke.
Therefore, we have decided to undertake a 100 mile walk from Charmouth in Dorset to the Wessex Neurological Centre. All monies raised will go directly to this research which could benefit up to 60% of brain haemorrhage victims.
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor us as Smile4Rich (the charity that funds such projects) gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
So please, please be generous with your sponsorship.