News on Robert Alner

Tuesday 7th April 2009

2009-04-07T03:03:00.000-07:00

Robert is coming home today, Hooray ! Our grateful thanks go to all that have given such superb care and attention to him at Salisbury. A new chapter in their lives start later today and both Robert and Sally will, as always welcome visitors at Locketts. Please do ring though if you can as there is no guessing where Robert might be!! (Its not going to be long before he's back at the racecourses)

Friday 6th March

2009-03-06T02:03:00.000-08:00

Robert is coming home for the weekend this afternoon. He is hoping to attend the Blackmore & Sparkford Vale Hunt, Pt to Pt on Sunday.

Monday 23rd February

2009-02-23T01:43:00.000-08:00

Robert had a very enjoyable day out at the Point to Point at Badbury Rings yesterday. He was thrilled to see 'Trade Off' in winning form.

Thursday 5th February

2009-02-05T05:45:00.000-08:00

Today Robert is going to be moved back to Salisbury hospital

Thursday 28th January

2009-01-29T01:42:00.000-08:00

The operation to remove the plate from Robert's neck was done sucessfully yesterday afternoon and he will remain at Southampton for a few day's.

Wednesday 28th January 2009

2009-01-28T05:16:00.000-08:00

Robert is being transfered today to Southampton General Hospital and the operation to remove the Plate from his kneck is also scheduled for today.

Friday 9th January 2009

2009-01-11T10:49:00.000-08:00

Robert is to have an operation to remove the plate from his neck which is causing him discomfort, this will be done in the near future.

Monday 5th Jan 2009

2009-01-05T00:39:00.000-08:00

Robert continues to make regular trips to the yard and staying overnight. He comes out on a Friday afternoon and then returns to Salisbury on Monday. He goes to the gallops to watch the horses work. Christmas week Robert was on hand for the Boxing day declarations and was thrilled to see the hounds meet here

Monday, December 15th

2008-12-15T04:48:00.000-08:00

Robert is making regular visits to the yard and seeing the horses. It is hoped that he will be able to stay over night at Christmas and the Career's are currently in training!! His new Permobile wheelchair will be delivered in January and finding a suitable vehicle for travelling is still ongoing.

Wednesday 15th October

2008-10-15T02:44:00.000-07:00

Thank you very much to everyone who came to the Robert Alner Fund Ball on Saturday and to everyone who donated prizes or sponsored the evening. It was a great party and together we raised £200,000. The evening was videoed for Robert and he is looking forward to seeing all the footage of everyone having a great night! Thank you for all your support.

Tuesday 30th September

2008-10-06T02:21:00.000-07:00

Robert has been having a few problems with his blood pressure rising and falling since the Open day, but he seems to be back on track now and more settled.

Monday 15th September

2008-09-15T04:44:00.000-07:00

Robert had a brilliant welcome back to Locketts yesterday and would like to thank every body for attending the 'Open day' and for all the support he was shown. The day was a great success and the sun shone which was an added bonus!!

31st August 2008

2008-08-31T05:26:00.000-07:00

We have now got a website up and running. Please go to www.robertalnerracing.com. Feedback welcome!

27th August 2008

2008-08-27T01:22:00.000-07:00

Robert is coming back to Salisbury Odstock Hospital today. He will return to London to have an operation in the near future, when all the required surgeons can be present.

Friday 22nd August

2008-08-22T01:58:00.000-07:00

Robert has undergone many tests at the National hospital in London and he may have an operation next week, after the Consultants have conferred.

20th August 2008

2008-08-20T02:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Robert made the journey to London's National Hospital, where he is being assessed.

August 11th '08

2008-08-12T10:11:00.000-07:00

Robert is currently still making steady progress, with a new tracheotomy and temporary voice box. He is still trying out various wheel chairs to suit, now looking into a car purchase, tests drives currently undergoing. Robert's aim is to attend the Open Day on Sunday 14th September '08, which is to be held at the yard.

FRIDAY 4TH JULY

2008-07-07T04:27:00.000-07:00

Tickets for the Robert Alner Fund Ball at Wincanton on October 11th are selling fast and we have some great auction and raffle prizes - including a Stallion nomination from Coolmore! Thank you to everyone who has donated auction prizes and bought tickets so far. If you haven't bought your ticket yet and would like to attend please contact Rebecca Morgan at Cheltenham Racecourse ( email rebecca.morgan@jockeyclubracecourse.com ) before the tickets sell out!

Robert continues to progress, he has been for a test drive trip around the carpark in a wheelchair, in full control of it !!

23rd June 2008

2008-06-25T06:03:00.000-07:00

Robert's progress continues, he has been fitted with a smaller ventilator tube and has also had a test drive in the new chair! He is now able to be sat in the chair for at least 7 hrs . The nurses are trying to encorouage him to do Physio instead of watching the sport on TV in the afternoon's! ( possibly going to have to change the timetable on that one ) Was thrilled to hear that his daughter Louise and Rob Walford had announced their engagement.

Wednesday 28th May

2008-05-28T03:10:00.000-07:00

Robert is now off of the ventilator 50% of the time and enjoys watching the afternoon racing from his wheelchair, thanks to all who visit him, he is up to date with all the news and gossip!!

Thursday 15th May

2008-05-15T02:33:00.000-07:00

Robert is delighted with the news that he is now a Grandad. A Granddaughter, Isabel Mary safely arrived in America a week ago.
Robert as many of you know has hosted bi-annually an Open Day here at Locketts Farm for his chosen charities, this will go ahead as usual this year and the date is set for September 14th. Please put this date in your diaries!!
Robert himself continues to make good progress in and out of the wheelchair.

Tuesday 29th April

2008-04-29T04:32:00.000-07:00

Robert continues to make progress and is able to sit in a wheelchair for over an hour. The Robert Alner Fund has now been officially launched. The fund has been set up to help Robert when he gets out of hospital. The main focus of the fund will be a dinner dance at Wincanton racecourse on Oct 11th. Tickets are available from Rebecca Morgan at Cheltenham racecourse Tel: 07767 612931 or by email to rebecca.morgan@jockeyclubracecourses.com Alternatively if you would like to send a donation or have any ideas to help the fund please do contact Rebecca, Dido Harding or Andrew Thornton

Thursday April 17th

2008-04-17T05:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was very successful, Robert was sat in a wheel chair for 20 minutes.

Wednesday 16th April

2008-04-16T02:04:00.000-07:00

Robert is progressing slowly, he is still on the ventilator but it is turned down to minimum setting. They are hoping to get him into a wheelchair this afternoon for the first time.

Sunday 31st March

2008-03-29T23:51:00.000-07:00

Robert is still having to lie flat waiting for his bed sore to heal which is very frustrating, however his weaning from the ventilator continues to increase.

Tuesday 18th March

2008-03-18T08:28:00.000-07:00

Robert's weaning from the ventilator continues to progress very well. Yesterday he managed 24 hours easily with it on a lower setting. As the support lessens he will be to start progressing on speech. Sadly he is still having to lie flat becuase of his bed sore. When it has healed he will be introducted to sitting up.

Thursday 13th March

2008-03-13T10:58:00.000-07:00

Robert was extremely happy about Miko's 2nd at Cheltenham. He is now doing 5 hours off the ventilator at a time very easily.

Monday 11th March

2008-03-10T09:34:00.001-07:00

Big thank you to ... we're not absolutely sure who? Someone within Racing UK for getting Robert a years VIP subscription and to Nick Luck for getting that ball rolling before the festival. Robert will now be able to watch it live on his lap-top. Sky TV is not logistically possible at the hospital.
Robert's chest infection has now cleared so weaning from the ventilator will begin shortly.

Saturday 8th March

2008-03-08T08:03:00.000-08:00

Robert is now getting settled into life at Odstock hospital, the staff assessing him before starting with his rehabilitation journey. Two winners today and many appreciated hospital visits from friends and family are providing an effective medicine.

Monday 3rd March 2008

2008-03-03T02:53:00.000-08:00

Robert is back at Salisbury Odstock Hospital.

Monday 25th February

2008-02-25T03:23:00.000-08:00

Robert has returned to Frenchay Hospital to have another operation on his neck which is to be done today.

Tuesday 19th February

2008-02-19T01:32:00.000-08:00

Robert has arrived at Salisbury Hospital, and settling into his new surroundings. Sally, Louise and Jennifer cannot thank the nursing staff enough at Frenchay hospital for their care and attention to Robert whilst with them.

Friday 15th Feb

2008-02-15T06:36:00.000-08:00

We are pleased to announce Robert has a tranfer day to Odstock hospital for the 19th (next tuesday). He is very excited about this but equally sad to be leaving all the staff at Frenchay who have given him such excellent care and hope they come and visit.

Tuesday 12th Feb

2008-02-13T03:22:00.000-08:00

Robert is making brilliant headway and is off the ventilator for 2 hours at a time. Today he enjoyed an afternoon in the sunshine studying the Ascot Sale catalogue while Jennifer turned the pages.
The Robert Alner Fund is now set up. We would like to thank Cheltenham Racecourse and the 16 to 24 Club for their generous donation to Robert and to Frenchay Hospital. Specially thanks goes to Rebecca Morgan for organizing a fantastic evening.
Many people have contacted us asking how they could contribute to the fund. For those wishing to make donations please make cheques payable to The Robert Alner Fund, at the attention of Jennifer Baines at Locketts Fm, Droop, BLANDFORD,Dorset, DT11 0EZ.

Saturday 9th Feb

2008-02-10T02:48:00.000-08:00

Robert's breathing is much stronger. He could breathe all day by himself now but the doctors careful not to push him too quickly off the ventilator in fear of running another chest infection. For the moment he is off the ventilator for 35 minutes at a time.
He has been given a tranfer date of the 18th Feb to Salisbury Hospital. We are keeping everything crossed! It all depends how well the patient who is in the bed now manages on his trial period at home.

Tuesday 5th February

2008-02-05T06:50:00.000-08:00

Robert is back in action of being weaned off the ventilator. On Sunday he had his first taste of fresh air in 87 days when 3 nurses wheeled him out on his hospital bed wrapped in warm attached to an oxygen tank.
We'd like to thank Paul Nicholls for his generosity donating his winning Hunter Chase percentage money to Robert, which was kindly matched by Fontwell Race Course at the weekend.
The Robert Alner Fund will be set up shortly and we are planning some fund raising activity later in the year.

Monday 04/02/08 12.30

2008-02-04T04:26:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Robert had his first taste of fresh air for 80 days! He was taken for a ride outside on his bed ( with his oxygen cylinder ) for 15.mins.

Wednesday 30th January 11.45am

2008-01-30T03:37:00.000-08:00

We are still waiting to hear about a transfer to Salisbury. Robert has started the programme of coming off the ventilator again. We now have a laptop in the hope that we can set up the racing channel for him to watch by his bedside, which is proving to be a little tricky to do as the reception at Bristol is poor, but we will get there!!

Wednesday 23rd Jan

2008-01-23T09:26:00.000-08:00

We're off and running again!! Robert is over his chest infection and trying to get to grips with the voice-box for short intervals, the physio continues twice daliy.
We are not holding our breath but there is word he could be moved to Salisbury hospital next week, which would work out really well as his favourite nurse is leaving next week to train in another hospital.

Monday 21st January 12.30

2008-01-21T04:18:00.000-08:00

Robert has taken a step back in that he has a chest infection again. For those of you that may be interested, there is a Ball at Cheltenham race course on Saturday night and money raised there is being donated to Robert and Frenchay Hospital. Contact Rebecca Morgan 01242 537654 at Cheltenham. A Trust fund for Robert will be opened by the end of this week.

Monday 14/01/08 10am

2008-01-14T01:55:00.000-08:00

Robert is off the ventilator for 1/2hr every hour now.

08/01/07 14.00

2008-01-09T06:10:00.000-08:00

Robert is being worked very hard. He is off the ventilator for 20mins every hour. Yesterday he talked for 3 minutes non stop with the voice box, which is impressive for a man of few words!!

Saturday 5th January

2008-01-06T02:51:00.000-08:00

Robert is off the ventilator for 15 minutes every hour. Yesterday was his first day of swallowing something other than Ribena, chocolate ice-cream, a real treat!!
Hopefully he will be moved shortly to Salisbury's Intensive Care Unit awaiting a bed in the Spinal Ward.

Tuesday 1st January 2008

2008-01-01T07:39:00.000-08:00

Robert's is extremely determined to be ventilator free, he now able to breathe for half an hour by himself.
Happy New Year to you all.

2007-12-27T08:47:00.000-08:00

Robert continues to spend time off the ventilator and is making steady progress. All the nurses were gathered round his bed to cheer on Miko de Beauchene in the Welsh National and celebrate the win.

Saturday 22nd Dec

2007-12-22T01:46:00.000-08:00

The Doctor's at Frenchay are formulating a plan to get him off the ventilator which they will put into effect after Christmas along with a new voice-box that can also be used with the ventilator. Robert's is enjoying his Christmas present from Sally (a DVD + TV player) and has been rocking the ward with his new Status Quo CD!

Friday 14th December 14.00

2007-12-14T06:04:00.000-08:00

Robert will not be moving to Salisbury, Odstock Hospital before Christmas. They are now trying to get him off the ventilator for 10 mins every hour.

Wednesday 12th Dec

2007-12-13T03:17:00.000-08:00

Robert is having the ventilator switched off every hour for 5 minutes.

Saturday 8th December

2007-12-09T01:24:00.000-08:00

Robert is still in intensive care. He has the ventilator is stopped 3 times a day for 5 minutes. As yet there is no date set for his transfer to the Spinal Ward at Salisbury's Odstock Hospital. He is very comfortable in the wonderdul care of the staff at Frenchay and is enjoying watching the weekend's racing in the dry!

Wednesday 5th Dec

2007-12-05T09:19:00.000-08:00

Robert's progress has slowed a little today, however he is in good spirits and managing to charm all the nurses, despite being unable to speak. They all enjoyed watching the weekend's racing!!

Saturday 1st December

2007-12-01T05:38:00.000-08:00

Robert is now able to breathe for approximately 9 minutes without the use of the ventilator every two hours and is awake for longer periods.

2007-11-30T05:49:00.000-08:00

Thursday 29th November 11.45

2007-11-29T03:40:00.000-08:00

Robert has recovered from the chest infection and now the medical staff are reducing the ventilator gradually

Monday 26th November 14.30

2007-11-26T06:32:00.000-08:00

Robert has had a recurrence of the chest infection over the weekend. His temperature today is now down from what it was and is much better.

Thursday 22nd November 10.30

2007-11-22T02:27:00.000-08:00

Robert had the Tracheotomy yesterday which went very well. He had a good night, is comfortable, on no sedation and is sat up. He was chuffed about winning birthday present!

Monday 19th November 13.00

2007-11-19T05:32:00.000-08:00

Robert's chest infection is improving and they are hoping to do the Tracheotomy midweek this week.

Friday 16th November 13.00

2007-11-16T04:56:00.000-08:00

Robert has developed a chest infection which was predicted and is receiving antibiotics for this otherwise there is no change.

Wednesday 14th November

2007-11-14T12:33:00.000-08:00

Robert is said to be comfortable. He was very pleased to learn that West Bromwich Albion won the match at Coventry 4 - 0 on Saturday !!

13th Nov 19.08

2007-11-13T11:07:00.000-08:00

Robert will be in intensive care for at least a week. He is still on the ventilator to help with his breathing, hopefully we should learn more tomorrow.

Monday 12th November 16.41

2007-11-12T08:40:00.000-08:00

Robert is currently not having any sedation and is awake. He has been breathing with the aid of a ventilator which is now gradually being taken away to see how much support he needs. The family have been allowed to visit today.

Sunday 11th Nov 9.23am

2007-11-11T01:19:00.000-08:00

Robert is still in intensive care being closely monitored. Is said to have had another comfortable night.

Saturday November 10th 1015am

2007-11-10T02:19:00.000-08:00

Robert had his operation yesterday afternoon. He was taken back into intensive care to be monitored and has had a comfortable night. Thanks for all your messages so far, we will update this as soon as we hear more.

Friday 9th November

2007-11-09T05:28:00.000-08:00

Robert is awaiting an operation at Bristol Frenchay Hospital. We will update this site as often as possible to keep you informed of his progress. If you would like to leave a message for Robert please do so here or on his e-mail address robertalner@btopenworld.com and we will pass them on to him.