Fundraising is at the heart of the fight against sepsis. It raises awareness, and sparks the question: What is sepsis? In this way, fundraising can help prevent thousands of deaths & unnecessary suffering through knowledge & awareness of the symptoms.It also funds the charity’s vital support work, Public Awareness, Educating Health Professionals & helping people adjust to life after sepsis through accessing their Support Group network.  They also lobby government to support our cause and makes vital changes in areas such as the NHS.

I was hospitalised at the start of March for five weeks, suffering with sepsis, Strep A, mastoiditis and (thanks to my lack of balance due to the ear infection that started the whole thing off) a sprained ankle, which became pretty problematic. The sepsis was, at points, life-threatening, and I am lucky to be doing as well as I am. Even with that luck, and with skilful hospital treatment, I currently walk with a stick (which, looking for the bright side, is far less aging and easier to customise than the zimmer frame I started off with!) my hearing has not fully returned on the left hand side, my concentration is not yet what it was and it will take some time before the remaining inflammation in my foot and ankle goes down.

The UK sepsis trust website has been an invaluable source of information for me as I recover and their awareness raising campaign - helping people to become “sepsis savvy“ and spot the signs - is really important to me.

I’ve seen the UK Sepsis Trust’s 10,000 Steps a Day in July Challenge and would dearly love to take part to raise funds and awareness. I am not currently able to walk 10,000 steps a day, and I suspect my consultant and physio will be pretty unhappy with me if I try that so am challenging myself to aim for a (much safer and more clinically advisable for me) 3,000 steps a day (which in itself would be huge for me given the start point). I would really love it if you would support me and support the UK Sepsis Trust. Any contribution you feel able to make will make an impact, whether you donate £5 or £50. Every little bit helps. Thank you for your support.