It is the one year anniversary of my mum's brain haemorrhage this November, and it's only after reflecting on how things last were last Christmas in the aftermath that we can really see how much has changed and improved, and how lucky we are to be celebrating another Christmas together. So, in honour of that, I thought that this year I would try and raise some money for the neurological ward at Southampton General Hospital instead of receiving Christmas presents.

The Neuro unit treated her after the haemorrhage, keeping her in Neuro ICU and then on a general ward for a few weeks. And it was also where she had her initial brain surgery in 2008, when her (over)zealous brain surgeon was just dying to get in and root around in her brain. So they've been there from the start of he journey really.

The work they carry out here and the things they achieve are truly outstanding, and being able to show them even a tiny show of our appreciation is more important to me than any other gift.

p.s. sorry if this is mega cheesy xxx