Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.www.neurocare.org.uk.

In April 2008 I underwent Neurosurgery at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield under the care of Neurosurgeon Mr Andras Kemeny to remove a small birth defect called an enecephalocele from my right temporal lobe.

It appears that this was the long standing cause of my epilepsy which had previously remained undected by scanners which weren't powerful enough to detect it.  Here in Sheffield in Dec 2007 I underwent the most powerfull MRI scan and the lesion was indentified.  Since my operation I have been feeling fantastic - after 15 years of trying medication and it simply not working and  causing persistant nasty side effects, a cause for my epilepsy had been found -  I am hugely grateful to Mr Kemeny for performing my operation with such incredible skill and making me feel human again! 

I came across the organisation Neurocare - which I am going to run the Sheffield half marathon run for - when I was in hospital,  I wanted to give something back to this group.  Neurocare have provided funds for the most incredible equipment that has made a significant difference to my life - but not just my life but countless numbers of people here in Sheffield and regionally around Yorkshire, nationally and also globally!  I am keen to promote Neurocare amongst the University of Sheffield and see if fundraising can take place amongst the various societies.  Ironically here in Sheffield I study Neuroscience!  Having an interest in Neuroscience I am fascinated by the sophisticated equipment that Neurocare have provided, it really is remarkable and is a great achievement to their fundraisers.   

Neurocare funded a trial when the 3T MRI scanner was first installed in Sheffield which proved its clinical effectiveness.  Significantly the 3T MRI scan identified my lesion, when others less powerful scanners had failed to pick it up, Neurocare also funded the telemetry eqipment which enabled the lesion in my brain to be effectively and safely removed. 

A charity that was born out of extraordinary circumstances that has helped Sheffield to become internationally recognised for the treatment of all Neurological conditions.  

For all those people past and present that have contributed to Neurocare and to those who where involved in my treatment - I hope that I can give something back.

The equipment that Neurocare have provided over the years and will continue to do so with our help,  will train many future generations of Surgeons, Doctors and Nurses and also enable Scientists to make more significant discoveries about the part of the body that we know so little about - the brain!  Its been doing so for the last 21 years and will continue to so for future generations of patients!

The run went well I did it in 2hr 17 mins I have also raised a huge amount of money that I thought was never possible!

A huge thank you to my Mum and her colleagues at work, the students and staff at the University of Sheffield, my family, people who are friends of the family and people in my home village of Redbourne - I think thats about it!   Thank you all once again!

Please visit their website www.neurocare.org.uk. 

Thank you very much

Thomas Wainwright