Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

On the 2nd August I am heading to York to run 10k with the hope of raising as much as possible for the Injured Jockeys Fund. Last year I took part in a 5k for the multiple sclerosis society after the illness took my Aunt's life and I finished a very proud 12th female of over 500 runners, so let's hope this year goes something like that and wish me luck with a donation. As I currently work for Middleham trainer Phil Kirby, and many of my closest friends also work within the racing industry, the IJF is a charity very important to me. It has helped so many people I know to get back on their feet after injuries within the sport and we hope it will continue to do so for many many years to come. 

Most of you within the racing industry will more than likely know of the truly inspirational, Katie Watson. 19 year old Katie was severely injured in a car accident in February, causing her to crush her spinal cord and also break her neck, this lead to her hearing the news that it was unlikely she would ever walk again. But her life now, is a very different story. Katie has ridden in two races as an apprentice with Mark Usher in Lambourn. Such is her progress since she moved to Oaksey House at the start of July that she is more than convinced she will make many more appearances back on the track. Katie broke one vertebrae in her neck and dislocated another when she crashed her car one winter morning. Once they operated on her they found her spinal cord was crushed, this being the reason they told her she'd never have use of her legs again. 

After three weeks she began moving her big toe on her left foot, that was the breakthrough which gave her the determination and motivation to get back in the saddle. She spent 5 months in hospital and had about half an hours physio a day, also becoming one of the first people in the UK to use a bionic leg. The battery powered device sits over the patient's own limb and responds to their desire to move, helping them to learn to walk again. Katie is well on her way back to the track, as she is able to walk again unaided and has already got back in the saddle riding again. During Katie's recovery she had two 90-minute sessions a day at Oaksey house, plus an hour of strength and conditioning in addition to using the Alter G machine. The IJF have helped Katie every step of the way and who knows, without their help she may still be in the wheelchair let alone riding. 

The IJF deserve all the support they get and every penny donated to them is spent with people in racing in mind. Without generous people like you supporting me to give something back to the IJF, Katie wouldn't have made the recovery she has and other jockeys in similar situations won't have the opportunity to continue their career within the industry.

For a bit more about the charity visit: http://www.injuredjockeys.co.uk/

Every donation, big or small means the world to me, Katie and the Injured Jockeys Fund. So please please please, give what you can and share my page with your friends and family. 

Wish me luck, Meg x