$3,500 MDRT grant to RHN Putney

I was delighted to learn that the MDRT Foundation, the charitable arm of an international volunteer organisation I work for, chose The Royal Hospital for NeuroDisability (RHN) to receive a grant of $3,500.

Green Financial have supported the RHN over the years in a number of ways. It is a national charity, situated in Putney and was founded in 1854. The work they do is fantastic. A comment on their website, from a relative of a resident, says "They don't treat you like a patient, they treat you like a person". A huge part of this is the picturesque surroundings, which are far from the traditional sterile atmosphere normally associated with hospitals.

As another example, here I am making the donation to Aysen Yousouf, the Trusts & Major Gifts manager at the RHN. We are in the beautiful library.

Aysen went on to show me round the Hospital and demonstrate some of the work they do and the technology to hand to help those who have lost the ability to communicate through neurological impairment, to do so.

Parts of the technology are incredible, such as computers that track eye movement to allow words on a screen to be 'spoken'. This gives the power of communication back to someone who may have lost the ability to move or speak - things we take for granted each day.

But it isn't all high tech. The art classes use basic materials to stimulate the senses.

Next up for Green Financial is taking part in the annual 'RowHard' event for the RHN.
http://www.rhn.org.uk/events/fundraising/row_hard.htm
In June, I'll be one of a team of 4 aiming to complete 2,000m as quickly as possible against other teams from across London and the UK.

Previously Team GB Olympic rowers have been there so I have no chance of a Gold Medal, but as ever, it should be the Charity that is the winner...