(l-r) Michael and John Sullivan

Woodford Green family plans to make charity “sleep-walk” an annual event

Alistair Kleebauer, Senior reporter Friday, November 2, 2012
1:56 PM

A Woodford Green man is determined to make a “sleep-walk” through the streets of central London an annual event to raise thousands more for neurosurgeons.

John Sullivan, 24, of Worcester Crescent, is keen to repeat the success of his recent charity event which raised around £2,500 for the National Brain Appeal.

He and his family are backing the cause, which raises funds for the capital’s National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, after John’s father Michael, 57, also of Worcester Crescent, received treatment for dizzy spells.

He joined his son and family on the one-mile walk through the streets on October 28, starting by the London Eye, with a group of around 50 people dressed in pyjamas, onesies and nightcaps.

John said: “The sleep-walk was fantastic.

“We’re going to try and make it an annual event and make it bigger and bigger.

“I don’t know how much we could raise, the first one was to test it.”

Doctors inserted a shunt into Michael’s brain cavity to treat a malformation which could have been fatal.

John said: “We got a few strange looks on the walk but people were very supportive and asked if they could donate.”

For information visit www.nationalbrainappeal.org/a-sleep-walk/ and to donate visit www.justgiving.com/John-Sullivan5.