Thank you for visiting my Justgiving page. At the end of this week I will be taking part in a trekking challenge in the region of  raising funds for The Children's Trust. I'm really looking forward to this brilliant adventure with a great group of people. One of my fellow trekkers is Alfie Russell who is taking part in the challenge to say thank you to The Children's Trust for the help that they have given him, (read his story below)

I recently visited The Children's Trust to find out more and to meet some of the childrens and staff. The Children's Trust provides care for children with multiple disabilities and complex health needs, and is renowned for it's service for children who have an acquired brain injury. Each year over 5,000 children suffer an acquired brain injury but most do not have access to the specialist help available at The Children's Trust. Many more children need this help and to reach them we need to raise the funds to recruit and train more specialists.  We know what a difference we can make to children with a brain injury.  With your support even more children and their families will get the help they desperately need. See more stories from The Children’s Trust.

Ten years ago Alfie spent 11 months at The Children's Trust:
Alfie: When I was ten years old I was knocked off my bike.  For 3 months I was in hospital unable to walk, talk and eat.  My parents were told I would stay this way.  Fortunately for me I was transfered to the Children's Trust.  I remember my time at the Trust as happy times even though I was going through the most intensive rehab you could imagine. I do not remember being unable to eat and talk but I can remember vividly being unable to walk, at 10 years old (and 3 months after being at the trust) I can remember asking my mum if I was going to stay this way in a wheel chair, she found it hard to look me in the eye but said I needed time, I cried and cried and she cuddled me, that was hardest.  Well I did walk again, infact I ran, jumped and played football again all because my physio, Helen, helped me, well she made me! I even ran the London Marathon in 2008 in 4 hours 38 minutes. 

Jayne: My son was knocked off of his bike at 10 years old and he was in hospital for 3 months.  We were transfered to the Children's Trust and I watched my son being stretcherd in being unable to walk, talk and eat.  He was totally dependant on me and his Dad.  At the hospital he was at before he went to the trust we were told things about our child that were absolutely heart breaking, he had changed from an athletic outgoing boy into a baby again and we were told that there was not much hope of this changing.
 
The intensive therapy he received at the Trust gave us back our boy, he was taught to talk and eat again by the speech and language therapist, the occupational therapist helped him with his motor skills. The physiotherapist helped him learn to first sit up, then roll, then walk, she even taught him to ride a bike again.  There is no place like the Children's Trust.
 
Alfie and Jayne: We are doing this trek to help other children who may have suffered a serious head injury, to help children who stay at the Trust or receive out reach therapy.  Head injury has a devastating effect on the child and there famillies lives, it is something no one can prepare for. The Trust offers the best treatment available, and for us had excellent results. Thank you all at the Children's Trust!

If you fancy your own challenge The Children's Trust have place in runs, cycles and walks. Or join an overseas adventure in November either the Cuba Cycle Challenge or a trek in the Himalaya’s. Find out more here or contact Bryony Eida on 01737 365018

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.