After raising an amazing amount for Dads surprise 65th birthday party! We are onto the next fundraiser!

As a family we are all taking part in the snowdon virtual climb! We will be walking approximately 4610 steps throughout June to help raise even more money for our chosen cause for our Dad/Cavernoma Society.

Today Saturday 14th June we completed our family charity walk at Panshanger Park and we went above and beyond and completed a total of 6,456 steps / 4.48km. We all enjoyed the walk & our children smashed it!

Our Dads story

In the early part of 2024 on a few occasions when waking up my Wife (Suzy) asked me if I had indigestion and had I taken a tablet, as l have previously after a heavy night!!

This went on invariably for a few months, on each occasion Suzy would ask me again? Same answer from me, she then mentioned that she tried to wake/move me because I was making a noise, as if chewing a sweet, and clenching my teeth, but I did not wake or move?

Then it was August BH weekend, we went away and stayed with friends, on the Sunday morning I had 3no of these episodes of staring into space and the same symptoms as above.

Our friend who is Medically trained took my blood pressure and all was fine. Why are you taking my Blood Pressure I asked?? Suzy explained what had happened, we now realised there was something not right??

I got in touch with my GP and quickly got referred to the Private Hospital.

It turns out I have a Cavernoma on the left side of my brain (the size of a raspberry).

The Cavernoma is a condition caused by a cluster of abnormal blood vessels in the brain or spine which are not a problem until something triggers them? In my case I do not have a clue what caused the Cavernoma to become active?? They can lead to seizures, headaches and neurological problems.

My episodes are now always at night and I am totally oblivious at the time, I do know something has happened at night because I feel confused in the morning and forget what/where I have done or been! Within an hour or so I have worked things out so not really too much of an issue.

Due to my episodes being deemed a form of Epilepsy I can not drive at the moment, this is probably more of an annoyance to Suzy as she ends up doing all the driving!

I have also been very fortunate to have the love and support of Suzy my wife and our children Carly, Adam & Sophie. (Most of you will be familiar with Adam from his time at Overbury).

The main reason for writing my story is to make people aware of Cavernoma, there are other people who are suffering symptoms far worse than mine!

This coming weekend there is a Sponsored climb of Mount Snowdon by 50no or so people, to help raise awareness. One of those people is a friend of our daughters Carly. Jo a young mother had her first episode when pregnant, she lost the use of her arms at the time and has had bleeds on the brain and needs surgery!

We as a family are not walking up Snowdon but we are doing the virtual walk, the equivalent amount of steps at a local area called Panshanger!! This Saturday 7th June.

There is a Just Giving page with this Story, which started a few weeks ago when my family arranged a surprise Birthday party for my 65th!! I wasn’t asked, but donating is far better than buying an Old Git things he doesn’t need!

There were a few ex Overbury colleagues and Merv whom I have now worked alongside for 21 years! You will see some of these old colleagues have donated along with many others.

It would be great if you think you could add to our total! No matter how small, every amount helps.

Thanks in advance

Bern, Suzy, Carly, Adam & Sophie xxx

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