I am running the 10K in May to raise money for the spinal cord injury unit at Southport and Ormskirk hospital. This place is close to my heart as my mum spent a year here during her rehabilitation after acquiring a spinal cord injury.

Every member of the team from nursing staff, doctors, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, volunteers and the charities were all involved at some point. Once a month a charity called SUAG (Spinal Unit Action Group) provides home cooked meals and drinks (including alcoholic) to the patients and their families and they do all this in their own time. The volunteers work on the unit, also in their own time, sharing their stories and providing reassurance and advice to patients on the unit, proving that life can continue but just differently to pre-injury. There are days trips and events organised to help rehabilitate patients into everyday life and relearn the simple things we wouldn't think twice about such as getting on public transport and even shopping in Tesco. There was even a trip to bowling which boosts moral for patients and help them realise that their injury isn't the end of their life, just a change and they can still live....

Every member of staff we come across were truly outstanding. I want people to realise how effective the care they provide is and how beneficial it is for people with life changing injuries having to adapt to a new way of life. I'm hoping to raise enough money to go towards the unit and especially towards the day trips and events organised for patients as i personally felt experiencing new life externally from the unit aided them for their confidence, self esteem, ability and overall to show them they can still have a good time.

Thanks for reading, any contribution would be greatly appreciated.

Aims x