Christmas is all about chestnuts roasting on an open fire, mince pies and falling asleep after a long day of eating. For many people, however, Christmas can also be an anxious time filled with worries about money, social engagements, crowds, Christmas dinner and family. For anyone suffering with a vestibular disorder there is often the additional anxiety associated with not being able to attend an event, or having to spend the festive season unwell in bed and alone. This is due to severe and unpredictable symptoms, including debilitating dizziness (often causing nausea and sickness), fluctuating tinnitus, hearing loss, pressure in the ear and serious imbalance.

'I am constantly missing events...the hardest part is not knowing when the episodes will happen.'

'A couple of years ago I had a cluster of attacks; one Christmas day and one New Year's Day. I was upstairs unwell, while the party went on without me.'

Dizziness and balance problems can affect people of all ages - from birth to later life. These conditions are life changing and have a massive impact on people; interfering with day to day activities we all take for granted.

We need to boost our Research Fund in order for us to continue funding vital research projects for those with these little understood, life-changing inner ear conditions.

We have new funding applications coming in all the time but if we don't replenish our Research Fund, we simply won't be able to continue supporting projects which could improve lives.

Let's make a difference this Christmas!