A year ago, our daughter Phoebe developed neurolupus, causing encephalitis - inflammation in her brain. After a rough 6 months in hospital she started rehabilitation at The Children's Trust in Tadworth, Surrey.

An amazing team of therapists (a special shout out to Hannah!) helped Phoebe to start her journey to recovery. When she started there she was using a wheelchair, had lost use of her right arm and had lost most of her ability to communicate, leaving hospital only able to speak 5 words (yes, no, Batman, the f word and Spam...).

At The Children's Trust Phoebe's days were filled with speech & language therapy, physio, occupational therapy, school, music therapy, hydrotherapy and horse riding. During her 8 week placement they focused on developing her speech, helping her with word finding strategies as well as developing creative ways to communicate. Physio and OT meant that by the time she left she no longer needed the wheelchair and she had started to learn to write with her left hand.

Apart from the remarkable physical and communication improvements, The Children's Trust provided Phoebe with a strong start to her overall recovery. Not only did they help to build her self-belief in her recovery, the impact of their care gave strength to our whole family.

This March, Phoebe and I will be walking 40 miles for The Children's Trust, so that they can help others like her.

Every year 40,000 children in the UK are left with a brain injury as a result of an accident or illness, with many not able to access the support they need.

The Children's Trust aim is to reach and support more children with brain injury to give them the best life possible. Donations will help The Children's Trust with their goal, allowing the Trust to provide specialist rehabilitation, education and community services across the UK.

Every mile reached and every penny raised will help us support the children when they need us the most. We are so incredibly grateful to everyone who donates, volunteers or hosts fundraising activities on our behalf – Thank you!