In 2014, my father was involved in a work-related accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury, leaving him a quadriplegic. After months of fighting for his life and undergoing numerous surgeries, my family and I were desperate for hope. Hope that one day Dad could come home, and hope that advancements in spinal cord research might change his future.

That hope is what drives me today.

At such a young age, I witnessed firsthand how a spinal cord injury can reshape an entire family's life in an instant. I also saw the strength it takes to rebuild. Watching my father's journey has given me a deep appreciation for the researchers and organizations working tirelessly to improve the lives of those living with spinal cord injuries and ultimately find a cure.

That is why I am proud to announce that this September, I will be running the Berlin Marathon in support of the Spinal Research Foundation. This organization is at the forefront of funding groundbreaking research aimed at restoring function and independence for individuals living with spinal cord injuries, people like my father.

I am reaching out for your support. Your contributions will not only fuel me through 26.2 miles on the streets of Berlin but, more importantly, will help fund critical research that brings us closer to a world where spinal cord injuries no longer mean a life sentence. Every dollar donated is an investment in hope, the same hope my family held onto over a decade ago.

Every two hours, someone in the UK will become paralysed. Globally, it is estimated that 15.4 million people are living with paralysis. It can happen to anyone at any time, changing lives instantly.

When the spinal cord is injured it affects far more than the ability to walk. Paralysis impacts movement, sensation, continence, breathing, and much more.

At Spinal Research our vision is to create a world where paralysis can be cured, no matter when the injury occurred or where in the world.

Together, we can cure paralysis.

spinal-research.org