NOW CLOSED.  GO TO https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/inmemoryofkirstyandphilip TO DONATE IN KIRSTY's MEMORY.

We are going to be walking 53 km (33 miles) on 26th June (moved from 10th April because event cancelled) to raise money for the Encephalitis Society in memory of our sister and daughter Kirsty Flood who died on Friday 5th February, aged 13, following a seizure caused by encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain.

Kirsty first came down with Encephalitis on 1st July 2019 and, following treatment, was seemingly on the road to recovery if still struggling with her memory.  The illness returned with a vengeance in summer 2020 causing more severe brain damage e.g. struggled to follow school lessons, memory worse, easily distracted, struggled with things she had previously been able to do such as simple maths sums.  She was treated again in October 2020 but the seizures continued and the daily medication was increased repeatedly to try and keep them in check.  The doctor recently indicated that, if the seizures still continued, she would need to come back to hospital for further tests and treatment.

The Encephalitis Society is the charity which aims to improve the quality of life of all people affected directly and indirectly by encephalitis, by:

-   Providing support and information
-   Raising awareness
-   Promoting and collaborating on research

Please support this charity and their efforts to combat this awful illness that ended Kirsty's life too early.

Note that the attendance fees for the event have been paid for so any money kindly donated will go to the society.

Some examples of how the charity can use the money donated:

-  £5 will deliver life saving information resources to parents and children affected
-  £10 will help us connect people together, to share their stories and lessen their isolation
-  £10 pays a volunteer's expenses to attend a Patient Involvement Panel
-  £50 will fund a support call with one of our experts, ensuring that people with encephalitis know they are never alone
-  £75 supports a digital gathering, bringing people together via technology, lessening the crushing isolation brain-injured people can feel, especially now.