On the evening of Friday 20th September 2024, my gorgeous brother had a severe allergic reaction to nuts, enduring anaphylaxis and going into cardiac arrest. Having spent 6 months in various hospitals cross London receiving intensive clinical care, George has now moved to a specialist nursing home at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability in Putney.

While George is in a better state now than he has been over the past few months, his state constantly fluctuates. It has been a truly agonising and terrifying time for our family. The extent of brain damage has subsequently led to various physiological problems, including respiratory and gastro issues. Shortly after Christmas, George had respiratory failure after instances of aspirating, and we were told he wasn't going to make it. Yet, every time our family is given bad news and told to prepare for the worst, George's strength and tenacity prevails.

We are so thankful for the support we have received during this horrific rollercoaster over the past 6 months, not only from George’s friends and peers, but from our new friends within the allergy community - particularly our friends at The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation (NARF). Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse founded NARF in 2019 after their daughter Natasha tragically died aged 15 from a severe allergic reaction to sesame seeds. The charity is the only allergy charity dedicated to medical research, trying to understand what is causing the dramatic rise in allergic disease - and develop ways to prevent, treat and ultimately eradicate it. Not only has NARF instigated this pioneering work, but they have personally supported George and our family, sharing his story to educate others, and prevent other families from experiencing such heartache.

On Sunday 11th May 2025, myself and a big group of friends will be partaking in the Britain’s Ocean City Running Festival in plymouth to raise funds for The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation. The longest race I have ever run in was a 200m sprint so this will be somewhat of a challenge for me as an asthmatic - but if George can overcome what he has in the past half a year, then I can surely run a 10km... I hope.

Please share this page and donate what you can. We will have a ‘cheer station’ on the day, so if you’re not running, please do come and join us to support the runners - don’t forget your EpiPens, inhalers and antihistamines!

With your support, through campaigning, education and research, we can #MakeAllergyHistory.

Love and gratitude, Alex xxxx

(see more about George’s story here - https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-georges-recovery-from-hypoxic-brain-injury)

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