So I’ve just clocked up 30 years working at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases and the Royal United Hospitals Bath starting as a junior researcher (8th November 1993) and now Head of Research Development. I helped set up the Donated Funds for Research Committee 25 years ago and we have been fortunate to have donations and legacies which we have used to support an amazing array of research projects led by RNHRD and RUH staff. I want to do my bit to raise more funds to enable us to fund more valuable research. My family have over the years benefitted from the care provided by the RUH particularly the Chronic Fatigue Services and the hospitals current research in cardiology, especially Atrial Fibrillation , is something that my dear Mum (departed) and dad would appreciate.

Trekking in the Himalayas has been on my bucket list since seeing a slide show (remember them!) by an adventurer at Loughborough so I am very excited to be able to combine these two things. Any donations, however small, (I know times are hard for many) gratefully received and look out for events over the next few months to join in with!

I’ve got some friends coming too so we will be getting in training and dusting off our boots - it’s January 1st and I took my grandson on a gentle walk along some footpaths today as a start!

RUHX is the official charity of the Royal United Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

At RUHX, we’re more than a hospital charity. We go further to give every patient the extra extraordinary care they deserve, while supporting our staff to do what they do best and furthering innovation within our hospitals. We’re out there in our community, collaborating with the people and organisations who drive real change. And we’re making sure that every penny we raise goes towards improving health, happiness and wellbeing for everyone in our community.