For over 150 years, the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability has been providing care and support for people and their families living with neurological-disabilities, caused by damage or disease to the brain and other parts of the nervous system. They specialise in vegetative, low awareness and locked in states.

The RHN is a national not-for-profit medical charity. They are not part of the NHS, but they work very closely with them. They have 260 beds available for long term, short term, rehabilitation and respite care for patients aged 18+. Every day their 750 full and part time staff work to improve the quality of life, independence and dignity of their patients and residents, and every day they see someone regain a precious ability.

Each year they must raise over £2,000,000 to fund the important services and facilities that make a real difference to a person's quality of life - including music therapy, aquatic therapy, recreation and leisure activities, essential daily equipment such as hoists and individually designed wheelchairs - and they do all this thanks to the support of people like you. (That means £37,000 a week or £5,500 a day!)

They believe it is essential for the wellbeing of people with brain injury and neurological illness to have the choice, access and control that many of us take for granted. With your support they can continue to provide the resources that set them apart from other providers of care and rehabilitation for people living with a neuro-disability.

Here is a brief list of what the money I hope to raise will help provide:

£230 - Will purchase a Music Therapy session for one of their residents, which helps people to express a range of emotions and communicate with loved ones.

£1,180 - Will pay for a hoist, which helps carers lift and transfer residents safely to and from beds, wheelchairs, toilets and shower trolleys.

It is not often that one gesture can affect the lives of so many people, but with £6,849 you will help over 240 people being cared for at the RHN.

One patient was referred to the RHN after spending seven years in another hospital in an apparent vegetative state. His wife heard of their expertise. On referral, their team discovered that he had been misdiagnosed; he had normal intelligence and awareness but was 'locked-in' a paralysed body. Recognising that he could move an eyebrow, they adapted a computer so he could 'type' by selecting letters with his eyebrow - he immediately spelled out "I love you" to his wife.

After raising £1020 for St Dunstans in October 2010 by running the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon I thought I would "up my game" and take the plunge by running the 2011 London Marathon. Please help me in this mammoth undertaking by digging deep and giving me a huge incentive to complete the 26.2 miles!!

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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 UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.