After receiving a dog bite (unintentional they were fighting each other!!) I went to A&E at Salisbury Hospital and to my surprise  ended spending 4 days there. 

By chance I was put in the Spinal Centre due to lack of beds. In these wards are some of the most amazing inspirational people I have ever met. From all backgrounds, from young to old, they have had their lives  flipped upside down in the blink of an eye. All unable to use their legs and some completely paralysed from the neck down.

I have previously watched similar spinal patients on TV as Nick Knowles and others rally around and do some incredible work on their homes so I know how sad it can be and have even cried, but this feeling lasts a really short time. 

Living side by side and witnessing first hand what these patients are going through in their daily challenges 24 hours a day is totally different. Just the simple processes we go through in getting ready, each small task can be be an exhausting battle. 

The staff are fantastic, the ward is good and there is a beautiful garden for the patients enjoy. This is so important as some have been in the ward for over a year. 

The one thing I noticed is the gym can be improved. For those who have the use of their arms in particular this is a life line to independence. Building the strength and technique to be able to transfer themselves in and out of bed or even transport can make a huge difference.

The equipment has done a great job in helping patients over the years but some pieces must be over 30 years old, the dumbbells are mismatched, metal and clumpy. Not ideal for wheelchair users. For a start I would love to replace these with well balanced rubber dumbbells with small increments. With your help we can achieve this.

I aim to raise 7,700 in donations by July the 7th. This pot of money will be used to buy the new dumbbell and rack. The rest of the funds will be ring fenced and used to further improve the gym in ways decided by the patients and physios.

We will be doing some fund raising events along the way like a children's show with Ozzy Wizzpop, so please get involved and or make a small donation it all adds up.

I would like to introduce you to some of the people we will be helping on the way via posts on Social Media.