race4natalie.com was launched in August 2009 with the objective of raising money for a 14 year old girl called Natalie. Due to a serious and sudden illness called meningitis Natalie has been left paralysed from her jaw down and is currently in the Sick Kids hospital Intensive Care Unit in Edinburgh. She has been there for the past 8 months, since 30/12/08, with some hope she might get home in the next 4-7 months. Many preparations are needed to be made before Natalie can return home. Over and above intensive rehabilitation, Natalie requires a special extension on her home and 24hr nursing care for the rest of her life. Natalie is now on a ventilator which does all of her breathing for her and the only way in which she can communicate with her friends and family is by moving her eyes and mouth. Access to technology and equipment to improve Natalie’s quality of life has proven to be very expensive, therefore all the funds raised will go towards improving Natalie’s future in whatever way possible.
Darryl Baxter and Darren Hay both competed in this year’s Loch Ness marathon in October 2009. All the money raised will contribute towards improving Natalie’s future by helping fund the expensive pieces of equipment that are needed to help improve her life. Please click the link below for more information on the marathon. 