After 39 years in the NHS , including 14 years at the Royal Free London , I am finally stepping into retirement from my role leading the Neurological Rehabilitation Centre (NRC). The NRC is a specialist unit supporting adults who require multidisciplinary neurorehabilitation, both in our inpatient unit and through our community team.

It feels like a huge milestone, and I wanted to mark it in a way that leaves a small legacy behind.

I am raising funds for the Royal Free Charity, with all donations going directly to the NRC.

We have a spacious garden and patio area at the centre at Edgware Hospital which is used regularly by patients, visitors and staff. However, it is in real need of some robust new garden furniture to make it a better space for everyone.

To help kick-start this fundraising, I have persuaded my husband, Lawrence, to use this moment as an opportunity to raise some much‑needed funds for the NRC charity account which is part of the Royal Free Charity .

He is taking on the Mount Everest Base Camp trek — a two‑week challenge starting on 21 April, reaching an altitude of 5,400 metres. I cannot join him, but I will be supporting him in spirit. I hope you agree that this incredible effort deserves a bit of sponsorship.

Any donation, big or small, is truly appreciated and will make a meaningful difference.

The Royal Free Charity exists to support patients, staff and researchers across the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. By providing vital support services and funding wellbeing programmes, medical equipment and ground breaking research, the charity makes a profound and immediate difference to patients’ experiences of care.

Please note that Gift Aid supports the Royal Free Charity’s full range of services for staff and patients across the Trust, as well as supporting research and innovation.