Hello!

In a few weeks' time my brother, Ed Donati, Paddy Pitcaithley and I will be heading to the Sahara to take part in what is widely acknowledged to be one of the toughest beach holidays in the world - the Marathon des Sables. 

For those lost souls amongst you not yet enlightened by the ultra-marathoning scene, the 'MdS' is an annual 150 mile, 6-day footrace across the Sahara. Come 7th April we will be taking on 50 degree heat, sand dunes and no doubt a few blisters - all whilst carrying 10kg backpacks containing our food and equipment for the week. 

 

All but one of my original reasons for taking on this challenge have since turned out to be delusional. What remains is, I hope, a sufficiently good reason to persuade you to part ways with some of your hard-earned cash, in aid of The Pluto Appeal at Chelsea & Westminster Children's Hospital.

Whilst working at Chelsea and Westminster over the last year, I have seen some of the fantastic work that is taking place in what is one of the leading paediatric units in London. The Pluto Appeal is well on its way to raising £1.5 million to purchase a state-of-the-art "da Vinci" robotic surgical system, which will be the first of its kind in Southern England. The device is revolutionary in paediatric surgery, and will make an enormous difference to children across London and Southern England. 

Any donation, however large or small, is hugely appreciated. Training has been significantly disrupted by injury, so every pound will also be much-needed motivation for us to pull through the tough miles! 

Please note that all money raised goes directly to the Pluto Appeal.

Many thanks in advance, and look out for updates here/facebook come April 7th!

Henry

 

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The event

http://www.marathondessables.co.uk/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marathon_des_Sables

 

The charity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro3IBeYu-Bg

 

Chelsea Children’s Hospital is one of the largest providers of children’s services in London with an estimated 85,000 children and babies being seen at the hospital every year.  There are currently around 2,000 paediatric surgical patients cared for each year at the hospital.  This is likely to increase to 2,500-3,000 a year now that Chelsea has become “lead hospital” for North West London and is handling all major paediatric surgical cases for 10 major hospitals in London.

In recognition of this new and expanded remit, the Foundation Trust has built a brand new children’s hospital at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital which is being called Chelsea Children’s Hospital.  One of the features of this new and enlarged world-class facility includes a doubling of the number of paediatric operating theatres to four, one of which has been built and fitted out to accommodate the “da-Vinci” robot.  The robot is an integral part of the hospital’s investment in paediatrics and the expected increase in the number of paediatric surgical cases.

Robotic surgery gives the surgeon enhanced dexterity, precision and control which is well-beyond the scope of traditional operating methods.  Through this precision the patient benefits from better recovery times, shorter hospital stays and smaller scars – all of which is vital when performing intricate surgery on tiny babies and children.  The hospital’s paediatric surgeons believe that robotic surgery is the way forward and that the da-Vinci robot is the optimum system being at the forefront of the available technology.