The Horton General Hospital, Banbury, is my local hospital. It was where my children Eve and Alex were born. Eve was born in 2013 by emergency C-section. The reality is Banbury women no longer have this option and have to be transferred to Oxford, 40 minutes away - a scary prospect for labouring women. The long term future of the hospital is under threat from downgrading certain departments and relocating services to Oxford, 30 miles away. Changes that have already taken place include downgrading the maternity department to a Midwife Led Unit, loss of 45 medical beds and reduction and downgrading of intensive care beds.

Despite Banbury's population increasing over recent years, a trend set to continue, acute services provided by the hospital are reducing.

I hope to complete my first ever half marathon in Stratford Upon Avon, Sunday 13th May. If you are willing to donate to my crowd funding appeal, with all funds raised going direct to the 'Keep the Horton General' campaign, it would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks, David Scrimgeour.

Campaign website: www.keepthehortongeneral.org/home.html