On 2nd September 2022 our close friend El sadly lost her fight with Encephalitis. 

In keeping with her incredible spirit, El fought on for longer than initially anticipated having first fallen ill on Sunday 28 August, allowing time for her parents, loved ones, close friends and colleagues to say goodbye and pay their respects - doing what she could to give comfort to others, even if unconsciously, until her final moments.

In our group of friends, encephalitis was not something we had heard of and we want this to change to help as many people as we can. 

We will therefore be taking on the Yorkshire 10km Tough Mudder to help the Encephalitis Society in their mission to increase global awareness of encephalitis, saving lives and building better futures.

Worldwide, a person is diagnosed with encephalitis (brain inflammation) every minute. Caused by infection or by autoimmune diseases, encephalitis strikes children and adults alike with no respect for gender or ethnicity. It is an acutely serious condition with high mortality rates, leaving many who survive with an acquired brain injury which will affect their memory, thinking and personality for the rest of their lives.

Tough Mudder is more than just an obstacle course, built on a foundation of teamwork and overcoming obstacles. We will be taking on the challenge as a group, for El. 

Eleanor Margaret Haigh, 1995-2022