In February 2009 my partner of 19 years, Bundy Mackintosh, suffered a severe stroke.  This has caused lasting detrimental effects to her speech and writing abilities.  Although she is just about managing to maintain her job as a senior scientist at the University of East Anglia, in Norwich, she will probably be unable to rise to the position of professor that she so aspired to.  The last two years have been difficult for me too, adjusting to a different lifestyle with Bundy, who needs a lot more assistance than ever before.  For that reason, one of the charities for which I hope to raise £3,000 is The Stroke Association, which funds research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation, and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its Life After Stroke Services. 

I hope Bundy’s friends and colleagues will rally round and make a donation on the JustGiving website.

Back in 1996 I was suddenly struck down by meningitis, the full-blown version with septicaemia.  I spent two weeks in hospital with all my joints locked solid.  I still suffer occasional stiffness in one of my ankles, but thanks to the fantastic team of doctors and nurses at the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, I pulled through with no real lasting problems.  The Meningitis Research Foundation funds research to prevent meningitis and septicaemia, and to improve survival rates and outcomes. It promotes education and awareness to reduce death and disability, and to give support to people affected.  So I am also hoping to raise the same sum, £3,000, for the Foundation. 

There’s a separate JustGiving website for donations.

Friends and colleagues may prefer to divide their donations between the two charities.  If so, you’ll have to go on to both of the websites.  If I’m successful in raising a total of £6,000, it will be roughly equivalent to a pound per mile!