Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

Our team has called our fund raising efforts the "Run for Charlotte" to recognise the strength and determination shown by my 13 year old daughter, Charlotte. Charlotte was diagnosed with a brain tumour just before Christmas 2008. She had been suffering from severe 'migraines' often lasting days for the last 2 years. She had the tumour removed during a six hour operation at the Wessex Neurological Centre at Southampton Hospital. Fortunately the tumour was benign, but she had a stroke either during, or as a consequence of, the operation and has lost some of her eyesight. Due to her determination, and the dedicated medical care she received, she was able to leave hospital after just eight days and we are praying that she will make a full recovery. The level of care and attention she received from the medical staff at the Children's Neurological Ward at Southampton Hospital was inspirational. There are many other cases where children operated on at the Wessex Neurological Centre at Southampton Hospital have not been as lucky as Charlotte. Charlotte has written her own story of her experiences which you can read on www.runforcharlotte.com

POST RUN UPDATE

On 18th July 2009, 3 colleagues and I from Close in Guernsey completed the 30 miler across Dartmoor with two Royal Marines. The 30 miler is an endurance run which is the last of the four Commando tests which Royal Marines recruits have to pass in order to win the coveted green beret of a Royal Marines Commando. We completed the run in 9 hours and 28 mins wearing "fighting order" (being boots, webbing, DPMs and carrying 30 lb bergens). It was very hard work! You can see from the attached photographs what a long day it was. We were taken by surprise by the terrain in Dartmoor - chest high bracken and gorse, rivers and streams, carpet bog and lumpy grass (or "babies heads", as the Marines call it) to run through or over. We were supported ably by a group of colleagues from Close who provided food and drinks at the four checkpoints and by my family (my son, William, who is 11, ran 3 miles with us and my 76 year old father also managed to jog some of the way with us!) and that made all the difference in getting us through. The highlight of the day was eating Cornish pasties (Royal Marines tradition!) at Checkpoint 2. Thanks very much to everyone who has supported us to date and/or donated funds so willingly.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor us: The Wessex Neurological Centre Trust 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.

If for any reason you cannot donate through JustGiving, as an alternative, you can send me a cheque made payable to "The Wessex Neurological Centre Trust Guernsey" to the following address:-

C/o Close Bank Guernsey Limited, PO Box 116, Trafalgar Court, Admiral Park, St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 3EZ 

Many thanks for your interest and, hopefully, your support.