I'm fundraising for SameYou as part of the Virtual Inca Challenge to support brain injury recovery. Why? I had two strokes caused by Covid. Most others who had the same symptoms as I did either died or are still very ill. I consider myself lucky. But without SameYou, I would have been lost. SameYou provided the physical and cognitive support that helped me start to recover. 

The NHS is amazing - but stretched by Coronavirus. That's why SameYou is so vital. I want to support its essential work helping people recover from brain injury. 

SameYou  doesn't just help people who have had strokes. Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), injury to the brain after birth, includes tumours, concussions and accidents, as well as strokes. 1 in 3 people will have an ABI at some point. But this is hardly ever talked about. SameYou want to change this and give people the best possible chance of recovery after leaving hospital. Any donation you make will help. If you are interested in learning more, go to: https://www.sameyou.org 

To show my gratitude and support, I've walked 26 miles - the length of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - only a few months after two strokes. Because of travel restrictions I've walked it in London. It has real meaning for me - I was the Reuters correspondent for Peru in the 1990s, and the Inca trail was then too dangerous to walk due to crime and the Shining Path guerilla group.

But since I finished the 26 miles, I've decided to keep walking - and to keep fundraising! I've been blown away by the generosity of people. But I think I can do more to help people with brain injury - just like I was helped. I've lifted the target to £3,000! So keep it coming! And I promise to walk the distance of two marathons by the end of the challenge!

Thank you for supporting me. My recovery depends on the kindness of friends and family, and I want to share that kindness with others hit by brain injury.