A few years ago a member of my family suffered a sudden life threatening condition called a sub arachnoid haemorrhage, a rare type of brain haemorrhage.
In effect two blood vessels in the brain ruptured and bled into the brain and skull.
This condition has a mortality rate of 50 -60%. Of those that survive, 80% have some sort of life long impairment. Whilst the scars heal, the injury remains.
Fortunately for us an insistent colleague (thanks Fran!) took her to, as luck would have it, our very aware GP. This meant our family member got hospital treatment quickly and a transfer to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. There, thanks to cutting-edge surgery, a life was saved and so was our family.
Due to the specialised nature of the condition we were in a position where aftercare and support was hard to come by and some had to be paid for, but we were among the lucky ones.
In the months that followed 2 nurses from John Radcliffe started a support group that gave free advice, support and guidance, not to mention nice cake to survivors, their carers and families.
This group became Head 2Head, a group that gives invaluable support to all those affected.
We owe the hospital and this team so much and I would like thank them by helping them provide care and support to others.

So, as one of those annoying overweight, middle aged men in lycra I have committed to riding the 100 miles of the Warwickshire Tempest bike ride.
Please if you like me I would be so grateful if you would sponsor me a small amount to contribute to a great cause, if you don't like me, sponsor me anyway safe in the knowledge its going to hurt.

Cycling....so much better than a midlife crisis.