Looking back at 2015, it seems that more people than ever took part in challenges, donned pyjamas, Santa suits or running gear in the name of The National Brain Appeal this year. There were also some wonderful fundraising events from the Charity Gig to the Bar Choral Society Concert and culminating with the ever-popular Carol Service. Thank you to everyone who organised, performed at or bought tickets for any or all of the above.

We’d like to say a heartfelt thanks to you all for the energy and effort you put into being part of The National Brain Appeal during 2015 − often during the most difficult times you’ve ever experienced.

We wish you all a very restful festive season.

Earlier this month it was #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving to charity. Instead of asking you to give to us, we wanted to give something back to you: a great big thank you for all your support. Please watch our video − it was really well received on social media and had thousands of views, all helping to raise awareness of The National Brain Appeal and Queen Square. Feel free to share the video on your own social media pages!

We're delighted to welcome our new Chairman, Peter Stone, to the Board of Trustees. He has been very busy behind the scenes in his first few months and made his first appearance at the Carol Concert but you can expect to see and hear much more from him in the New Year. We’re excited to have Peter on board to help us develop our ideas and plans for the future.

“I'm delighted to take up the role of Chairman of Trustees at The National Brain Appeal," says Peter. "There are many doctors in my family including my father and daughter so I've always been very interested in developments in the health sector. I've also seen at first hand the dedication and expert clinical care provided to patients at The National Hospital. This really motivates me to play a part in enabling The National Hospital and its inspirational staff to continue their hugely important and impressive work.”

...and create a donation for us every time you shop! With the sales about to kick off in a big way, use shopping and price comparison website Give As You Live, and every single time you spend, you’ll generate a free donation for us! Buy from more than 4,000 retailers, including all those big names such as eBay, M&S, Debenhams, Amazon and John Lewis.

Don't forget to download the handy pop-up banner which alerts you every time you shop on a donor-retailer’s site!

Closes: 24 December 2015 at 1pm

Reopens: 4 January 2016 at 9.30am

Thank you for being patient over the festive period when enquiries can take a little longer to deal with!

For more events, personal stories and how you can get involved, please visit nationalbrainappeal.org, or follow us on Twitter @brainappeal and Facebook at fb/TheNationalBrainAppeal

Theresa, Marcelle, Brooke, Laura, Cara, Louise, Leigh and Tina