Dear Friends

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

Why am I running for 'Connect' ?

When I was a student nurse a few years ago (lets just say it was sometime last century!) I cared for a maths professor who had aphasia following a stroke. He showed great courage and determination in fighting back and with the help and support of speech and language therapists, not only regained his language but his self-esteem. My children often comment on my ability to 'talk for England'  usually when I'm nagging them to do something or imparting some pearl of wisdom that they just haven't come to appreciate yet! Communicating with others is also a very important part of my job and I can only imagine how incredibly difficult and frustrating it must be to lose that thing which we often take for granted.

250,000 people in the UK suffer with aphasia, often after a stroke.

“Aphasia is an ‘invisible’ disability that affects communication – usually caused by stroke, tumor and brain injuries.  People with aphasia find it hard to speak, read, write, understand language and use numbers.  Everyday activities can suddenly become a source of profound frustration and anxiety both for the person with aphasia and for their families, friends and carers.  Aphasia can affect people of all ages from all walks of life.”

"Connect is a small national charity whose vision is a world where people living with aphasia find opportunity and fulfillment.  Your support will help us to provide and promote effective services for people living with aphasia - for example, running conversation groups to build confidence and communication skills and hosting open days to put people in touch with each other so they can feel less socially excluded.  We will also deliver training and publish resources for both people with aphasia and those who work with and care for them, and offer consultancy to other service providers so that they, too, can improve the quality of life for people living with aphasia."

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

Please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.

Trevor