One year on and we're back....

Last year some 30 fantastic people came together and formed 'Connies Team' to run a Half Tough Mudder in Henley (https//youtu.be/GgN6sK9iYhk). In doing so we managed to raise an incredible £12k in aid of Southampton hospital, and support some of the extraordinary people that have supported us throughout the past 2 and a bit years. 



One year on and a few more aches, pains and injuries, and 'Connies Team' has returned, only this year we will run 10 miles instead of 5 and with twice as many obstacles...

Without wishing to rehash the past, on the 28th Dec 2015 our eldest daughter Connie was admitted to Southampton hospital after suffering a major head injury on a Christmas night away to the New Forest. She would remain in a coma for 3 weeks.

We were met in Southampton hospital Accident and Emergency by a vast team of medical staff and within hours of arrival at hospital, surgeons conducted an emergency craniectomy to remove significant parts of her skull, allowing the brain to swell to try and prevent any further damage. The parts of her skull were transplanted into her stomach where they remained for 5 weeks until surgeons felt the swelling of her brain had subsided enough for the skull to be replaced. As a result of her injury, Connie has had 4 brain operations and was 50/50 as to whether she would live.

For the next 5 months, as a family we lived with Connie in Southampton hospital, and thereafter at the Childrens Trust neuro rehab centre where she began her long journey of rehabilitation; of speech and language, occupational therapy, psycology and physiotherapy, a journey that continues today. Nearly eight months after we set off for one night away, we finally made it home for good.

Two years on and Connie has made remarkable progress, and although her long journey of rehabilitation and therapy is far from over, today we get to watch her smile and be a family.

The extraordinary skill and care of the paramedics, surgeons, medics and therapy teams that evening and thereafter undoubtedly saved Connies life. Their immediate response to her accident prevented catastrophic brain damage, and in addition helped us as a family to find a way forward together.

For that we will be eternally grateful.

This year we would like to raise money for The Murray-Parish Trust (www.themurrayparishtrust.com). The trust was set up in memory of their daughter Ella-Jayne who passed away at Southampton hospital from a congenital heart defect. Having lobbied the government and being awarded a grant matching their fund raising, the trust is half way toward raising £2m needed for the building of a brand new Paediatric Accident & Emergency Department. This will be based in Southampton at the existing hospital but which will provide a centre of excellence covering the South of England including Buckinghamshire. The trauma centre will provide the facilities needed for children and their families to help create a more certain future at an uncertain time.

We have been so lucky to have found such amazing, caring and talented people, and have incredible family and friends that have helped support us on our journey so far. Sometimes everyone needs a helping hand.

So 'Connies Team 2018' will do the Tough Mudder for the people that have supported us, and show that we are all stronger together

Thank you for supporting our story,

Connie and Grace, Caroline and Richard (and all the legendary members of Connies Team 2018..)

xx