As many of you will know, Mum suffered a devastating stroke twelve years ago. She lives (bravely) with the disabilities that left her. That said she is never without her wheelchair or care.

Together we raised £8,500 for CHSS in 2011 in Dad's memory. Mum asked that I ran another marathon in her memory when she dies. I'd rather do this while she is able to enthusiastically cheer me around the course and she knows I am doing this for her.

There have been tremendous advances in stroke prevention and care but:

• There are around 1.2 million stroke survivors in the UK. More than half have been left with disabilities that affect their daily life.
• Every year an estimated 152,000 people in the UK have a stroke.
• Stroke can affect anyone, no matter what their age. Around a quarter of all strokes happen to people under the age of 65, and around 400 children have a stroke each year.
• Stroke is the largest cause of complex disability in adults.

I am running the London Marathon because I enjoy it and it keeps my middle-aged spread at bay. But I am also running the London Marathon to show Mum and people like her that we care and want to make a difference. Please give what you can.