Just a little note to explain why I chose this charity. As part of my medical history, I have a congenital heart defect. I am a supporter of the Grown up Congenital Heart charity - http://www.justgiving.com/guchpa - but I am also a member of the Lymphoedema Support Network.

I started displaying symptoms of primary lymphoedema when I was 11. At that point no one could tell me what it was or why I had it. Things were somewhat unclear and techniques for managing it were practically non-existent. The reasons behind primary lymphoedema are unclear though secondary lymphoedema can occur as part of breast cancer surgery or other surgery where lymph nodes are removed.

Through your donations to this site, you will help the LSN to fund research into the causes for primary lymphoedema and also help them to get Parliment to support and fund more lymphoedema clinics through the NHS.

I now realise that I have been incredibly lucky with my support. In my late-teens I was fortunate to attend a new clinic within the local cancer hospice. It was only part-time and charity-funded but they were able to control the lymphoedema through full-leg compression bandaging and subsequent compression stockings - which I had to fund myself as the charity couldn't pay for those. These don't come cheap! My clinic has now upgraded to a full-time out-patient clinic with one trained physiotherapist and a budget for the stockings.

This is not the case in other parts of the country. Some places still only have charity-supported clinics and others have no clinics at all. Lymphoedema is a long-term condition, with no cure. These stockings are the only way to keep the affected limb down to a manageable size (otherwise it's very swollen, is sore, prone to infection and causes tissue damage in the lymph vessels). I'd like to see the services improve and further research done, and this is what the LSN is aiming to do, which is why I'd like all the money that you'd be spending on pressies or vouchers to go to them.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Lymphoedema Support Network will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

Thank you xxx