Andrea & I with her son Matt, a Wiltshire Police Constable

New update Saturday 2nd March - Next week Andrea begins trialling two different 'EyeGaze' type computer systems. The first £100 of funds raised has been spent on a portable ramp for Andrea's wheelchair. Other medical items are being assessed in consultation with her therapist. Thank you for all the continuing interest and support. Garrett

Update added Friday 25th January - The full details of my appeal are just below this update.Having reached the £6k target in just five days I want to express my heartfelt thanks for everyone who has donated. The money and messages have been almost overwhelming. A few days ago I asked Andrea whether there were any other medical items she would need soon and of course there were, loads of them. Rather than guess a new target I thought I would leave that be but add this comment. If you are here at this page and of a mind to make a donation please know that whatever we raise above the price of an Eye Gaze (or similar) computer will go to fund medical care for Andrea. Once again, thank you very very much for your help. Garrett

In 2018 my friend and colleague Andrea Shutt was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. For anyone that doesn’t know her, Andrea is a Police Community Support Officer who lives and works in the Cotswolds. It has been my good fortune that Andrea has been a member of the Neighbourhood Policing Team in the district where her boundless enthusiasm, dedication and motivation are an inspiration.

Since her diagnosis she has brought these qualities to bear in fundraising for a Motor Neurone Disease charity. Her efforts, which have included a bi-plane wing walk with Inspector Karen Ellis have raised over £15,000 for the charity.

MND is a life-shortening condition and there is no cure. In Andrea’s case the disease is progressing rapidly and is already having a major impact on her life. Amongst other things she now uses a motorised wheel chair to get about and her ability to communicate with her friends and family is becoming more difficult. Andrea has finished ‘voice banking’ in anticipation of, at some future point, losing the ability to speak herself.

There are of course computer systems that assist those with MND to communicate. As the condition progresses patients can lose the use of their limbs so the better systems will recognise the person’s eye movement and speak for them. The NHS struggles to fund these systems and sometimes patients don’t get the best system for their needs.

With Andrea having already raised money for charity I have decided to do something to encourage people dip into their pockets again, but this time to help Andrea directly. On the 7th April 2019 I am running the Rome Marathon and am asking that you sponsor me so that we can raise money to pay for a computer that will assist Andrea to communicate. The best communication tools for Andrea will need to be properly assessed as her speech deteriorates but, a good computer, software package and stand can cost up to £6000. So that’s my fundraising goal. Obviously I will pay for my trip to Rome and the race entry, so any money donated will go entirely towards funding the right communication system for Andrea. You may donate via Just Giving or via a BACS transfer into the account I have opened at Lloyds (30-80-95 41203360) for this purpose. If you choose the later please contact me to let me know.

For anyone that knows me and thinks the marathon will be a walk in the park, it is true that I have run a marathon before. It was eighteen years ago. It was really hard then and I’m now eighteen years older! Please dig deep so that together we can help Andrea, this most wonderful woman, maintain the best quality of life possible in the face of this most dreadful disease. Thank you.