Story
Thank You so much to everyone who helped me raise such a huge amount for the hospital!
When I finally got to the starting line, it was 11.38am - 38 minutes after the race had started, and some people had already finished! This was due to the sheer volume of people - over 17,000 people took part! I completed the run in just under 35 minutes and was chuffed with this, considering I was granny-dodging all the walkers along the way!
The hospital are so grateful for all the money I have raised, and have selected me as their fundraiser of the month. My poster and story is on the hospital noticeboard for all to see.
Mike is so proud of me, and is really grateful for everyones generosity.
Mike's friend recently did the London - Paris Bike ride for the Hospital too and raised over £5,000. Mike's company - Sega have also donated a large sum for new computer equipment for the hospital.
It just goes to show how much Michael is thought of and loved.
Thanks again for all your help and support!
Hayley
As many of you may know, in the early hours of Saturday 28th February this year, my Brother Michael was seriously assaulted and left for dead after a night out in London with his friends. He suffered a serious head injury and damage to his brain.
Michael is a 25 year old man who had the world at his feet. He graduated from Greenwich University with a First in his Degree and went on to pursue his dream of becoming a Computer Games Designer.
As you have all seen, this has affected my family and I in a way I never thought possible. Our lives have been turned upside down as a result of one moment of madness.
In the months since it happened, we have never been told what the outcome will be, as with Brain Injuries, it is simply a matter of time. One thing is certain though, Michael is a strong-willed, determined young man who is trying his utmost to get better. We will always be grateful to St Thomas's Hospital for saving Michael's life, but have seen a remarkable improvement since he has moved to the Specialist hospital, The Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability. We are hopeful that Michael will continue to improve and will be able to go on and lead a normal life, however long his recovery takes.
This Hospital specialises in treating the most serious of Brain injuries and diseases. Common causes are traffic accidents, assaults and illnesses, such as multiple sclerosis or Huntington's disease. Often the victims are young people, with much unfulfilled potential and long years of happy life seemingly cut short. Their experienced and expert staff ensure that each person is given the best available care. With hard work and patience, people with neuro-disabilities are given the chance to lead more independent lives.
The RHN is a non-profit making charity that relies on voluntary contribution to bridge the gap between what statutory funders pay for placement and what the placement actually costs, so that patients can achieve their potential.
Donations and Support are vital to improve the quality of life and independence of the patients. They need to raise over £2million in voluntary donations each year to continue to fund patient care and undertake ground-breaking research. Their services are funded by the generosity of individual donors, corporates, and grant-making trusts.
I am completing a 5k run on 6th September and hoping to do this in under half an hour. I am also going on to complete a 10k run later in the year to raise as much money as I can for the hospital.
Any donations however big or small will be gratefully received and your support and good wishes at this time are greatly appreciated.
Thanks again,
Hayley.
How donations make a difference
As we are not part of the NHS, we receive no public subsidy. We are very grateful for every donation, which helps us continue to provide our services.
Please feel free to use the examples below of how the money you raise could benefit patients and residents at the RHN, to help you in your fundraising.
Under £30
£15 Head Strap
Help make a patient’s life comfortable. A head strap is used to stop the head from falling forwards. It can also be used to help feed patients and prevent choking.
£20 Patient haircut
Our on-site hairdressers provide people with a treat to help celebrate a special occasion or to look good for loved ones.
£25 Leisure excursion
Improve a patient’s quality of life. Leisure excursions help engage patients by introducing them to an environment outside the day-to-day routine. Excursions provide a new way of communicating with patients and involving them in different situations.
Under £100
£50 Hydrotherapy session
Help make a huge difference to a patient’s life. Hydrotherapy provides a lifeline to patients and fresh hope for their families. The gift of hydrotherapy helps patients re-learn vital skills and maximise quality of life.
£60 Art Therapy survival kit
Art therapy is a great way for patients with limited skills and movement to express themselves, take control and experience independence. The Survival Kit provides the essential equipment and materials needed to enjoy the wonders of art.
Under £1,000
£110 Help someone communicate again
Communication is the key to everything we do. The switches, like the one pictured, are highly complex bespoke devices, designed to restore communication and choice. The gift of a switch helps our residents to manage their own environment and function more independently.
£150 Alpha Smart
The Alpha Smart is a revolutionary design for residents at the hospital. It allows people to stay in touch with family, friends and the world.
£200 Bring theatre into the hospital
Due to the complex requirements of our patients we need to bring activities into the hospital for everyone to enjoy. £200 can pay for a theatre group to perform at the hospital, which makes a big difference to a patient’s quality of life.
£363 Sponsor the Recreation and Leisure Service for a day
We enable patients and residents to have access to of over 90 activities on-site and to a wide ranging weekly programme of external trips and events through the Recreation and Leisure Department at the RHN.
£940 Sponsor a Neater-Eater
This piece of equipment is used to help patients with ataxia (lack of movement co-ordination), which helps to control arm movement to the extent that it helps them regain control for eating.
Larger gifts
£2,540 Provide someone with a little comfort
Many people living with Huntingdon’s disease* at RHN depend on specially designed seating to provide postural support and minimise the risk of injuries that can occur as a result of too much involuntary movement.
£5,000 Sponsor the hospital for a day
It’s not often that one gesture can affect the lives of so many people, but when you Sponsor a Day at the RHN your gift will go straight to work helping over 240 patients. Your gift will enable us to develop and provide the high standard of care that makes us unique.
£14,560 Sponsor the Neuro-behavioural Rehabilitation unit for a month
This 14-bedded unit specialises in long-term care and rehabilitation of patients with neuro-disabilities who also demonstrate behavioural problems. These behaviour disorders include disinhibition, lack of co-operation, poor initiation and aggression. The RHN is one of very few organisations providing treatment and care for this patient group. Positive programming and environmental management are applied 24 hours a day to improve behavioural approach. Each patient receives a plan with targets and goals, which is regularly reviewed. Your gift of £14,560 enables us to provide this service for a whole month.