Dear family and friends, thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

As some of you know I have recently started my new job as Clinical Nurse Specialist within The Brain Tumour Unit Team here at NHNN, Queen Square where I have worked for the last 15 years. I care for patients who have been diagnosed with Brain Tumours and this diagnosis can have devastating effects on them and their families. My role is to provide advice, information and support to them and their families.

The purpose of this appeal is to raise funds to enable the development of the UK's first Brain Tumour Unit, based at NHNN.

I will be taking part in a fundraising trek in to raise money for this major new appeal from 2nd November until 11th November 2008. The trek will involve six long days of hiking over a mixture of terrain, ranging from rocky volcanic landscape to sub-tropical vegetation. My goal will be the Padre Jose F.Ribas Refuge located at 4,800m high upon the snow-capped slopes of Mount Cotopaxi.

So why am I doing this? Every year 5,000 people are diagnosed with primary brain cancer and more than 40,000 people develop secondary cancer in their brain. The new Brain Tumour Unit’s aim will be to improve patient outcomes, quality of life and overall prognosis. Making the best use of currently available technological advances and building on the strengths of The National, this unit will open the door to many more patients at a central unit run by international specialists.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: National Hospital Development Foundation gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now! Your donation will be greatly appreciated. x