*Update*

My day was admitted to hospital for the 2nd time recently. Consequently, this meant that he was unable to celebrate his 39th wedding anniversary and it was the first anniversary my mum and dad haven’t celebrated together and it is the longest they have ever been apart. ☹. Thankfully, my dad is home now so I have an idea to help them belatedly celebrate.

My idea is rather simple. I want to get as many people to do #OneforAlf. 

So, it is really simple, here are the steps

1. From 16th - 18th October 2020 I want you to do one thing and #getoutside. This could be either walking, running, riding at least one mile. It could even be part of something longer.

2. Take a picture and post on social media using the hashtag #oneforAlf

3. Donate a small amount (as if you were buying my dad a drink to celebrate my parents anniversary and also coming out of hospital!) to the Encephalitis Society using this link.

The objective to complete the #4every4 below is still there!

My dad was recently diagnosed with Encephalitis. This has had a massive impact on him and my mum. Encephalitis is very rare and complex with each sufferer exhibiting different symptoms. The mortality rate is high.  As a result,  diagnosis can be very difficult and drawn out. It took 4 years for my dad to get a proper diagnosis. In this time my dad has been affected by some of the symptoms. Thankfully, he is now in rehab and working hard to recover to the man he was before. Some of the damage may be irreversible and he has been told that he should have died but he is a Warrior.

As a result, I have come up with a personal challenge to raise as much money as I can for the Encephalitis Society. They have been incredible since the diagnosis. I want to: 

1. raise awareness of Encephalitis
2. raise money to support others going through living with the illness. 
3. raise money for more research into the early detection and treatment of Encephalitis so no one has to go through what my dad and my mum have been through.
   

The challenge is to run 4 miles every 4 hours for 40 hours carrying a 40lb pack. This is symbolic because of the length of time it took for a diagnosis. The 40lb pack represents carrying an unknown brian injury. This is a challenge done by the US Navy SEALS. The 4 miles will the same loop in Sheffield. The challenge will be completed during the weekend of 28th & 29th August 2021. 

Check out the hashtag: #4every4

WHAT IS ENCEPHALITIS?

• It is caused either by an infection invading the brain or through the immune system attacking the brain in error.

• Symptoms of encephalitis can vary but can include flu-like illness or headache, drowsiness, uncharacteristic behaviour, inability to speak or control movement and seizures.

• There is low awareness of the condition - 78% of people worldwide do not know what encephalitis is.

• Encephalitis is more common today in many countries than motor neurone disease (MND), cerebral palsy (CP), multiple sclerosis (MS) and bacterial meningitis – and yet it remains less well known. 

You can find more on our website https://www.encephalitis.info/

Their mission is to increase global awareness of encephalitis, saving lives and building better futures.