100km for Amy – Walking the South Coast Path for the RHN

This summer, my husband Jamie , a couple of close friends and I are taking on a huge challenge — walking 100km non-stop along the South Coast Path — to raise money for the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability (RHN), an incredible place that’s become very close to our hearts after their care of our good friend Amy.

The RHN is a specialist hospital that provides care and rehabilitation for people living with complex neurological conditions. Their work is compassionate, tireless, and life-changing — and we’ve seen it firsthand through the story of our friend.

In 2021, when Amy was 31, eight and half months pregnant, 2 months into her marriage and looking forward to the birth of her baby, everything changed. Amy suffered a bleed on the brain and collapsed. The situation was life or death. Following a long stint in hospital, Amy was diagnosed with 'locked in' syndrome (where she is now unable to move her arms and legs, speak or even eat) and now breaths through a tracheostomy. Amy is very much still amazing Amy, with all her memories, her cracking humour and her strength of character - she really is just the most inspiring person we know.

Amy is a hugely passionate horse rider and has a horse called Lady Q. The RHN also enables Amy to go down weekly to see her horse who is still being cared for at the same yard Amy use to ride her at.

Amy is now the computer wizard at the RHN and her determination to improve has made her a figurehead for the computer department.

Amy has been at the RHN for 3 years now and the staff there have been great, offering unwavering support and positivity. Amy has been making improvements throughout her time at the RHN and we are hopeful with the continued support they offer, she will continue to make more.

Fitted to Amy's wheelchair is a switch that she can knock with her cheek to activate her computer. It allows her to choose TV programme and write/answer emails from friends and medical staff. This has given Amy her motivation and determination back to beat this illness and to continue to make improvements. Amy wouldn't have this independance without the amazing help of the RHN and the staff at Compass (the RHN computer department) who go the extra mile for their patients.

Amy's next project is to have and drive a motorised wheelchair which again will give her more independance and the ability to move forward with her progress.

We’re walking for Amy, and for other families going through similar at the RHN. Please support us if you can.

No donation is too small and will help make a difference.

Thank you so much in advance,

Ellen, Jamie, Amy, Amy's family and Lady Q xx