Hi. Thanks to everyone who has sponsored me or who has promised to sponsor me. Unfortunately I have some bad news. This afternoon when getting ready to head off to newcastle my back went into spasm and I haven't been able to move for the last 6 hours. Was hoping ibuprofen would help but still can't stand up let alone move. I am absolutely gutted. Was obviously looking forward to the run but also aware that people have pledged a lot of money (over £350) so can't help feeling I've let the side down. However, I am determined to make sure I'm fit in 5 weeks time to run Bham half marathon for the stroke association. Thanks for your support.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

In 2005, Edwyn Collins (former front man of classic post-punk band Orange Juice and all-round musical legend) suffered a near-fatal stroke. Edwyn was struck by two brain haemorrhages; a high-risk brain operation followed before he then contracted MRSA. He was left barely able to walk and, suffering from aphasia, he was barely able to talk either.

However, his rehabilitation, although long and painful, has been remarkable. It is described in detail by his wife Grace Maxwell in a very funny, frank, beautifully written book called "Falling and Laughing: the Restoration Of Edwyn Collins". Well worth reading!

Last year, Edwyn released one of the albums of 2010 called Losing Sleep. I was lucky to see him play live at the Glee Club in Birmingham last November. Although unable to play guitar anymore, it was a joy to see him perform new songs and classics from the Orange Juice and solo years with a great band.

As I read the book it ineveitably brought back memories for me of my brother Dave who died on June 7th 1989 when he suffered a stroke caused by thrombosis. Sadly the brain swelling he suffered couldn't be brought under control as it was eventually with Edwyn. Who knows how much of this is to do with medical advances in the last 22 years and how much was just bad luck?

Having decided to try and and get fit (again!) and take part in 2 half marathons this autumn (The Great North Run on Sept 18th and The Great Birmingham Run on Oct 23rd), I thought it would be a good idea to use this as a chance to raise some money for The Stroke Association. 

An estimated 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke. Of all people who suffer from a stroke, about a third are likely to die within the first 10 days, about a third are likely to make a recovery within one month and about a third are likely to be left disabled and needing rehabilitation.

Stroke has a greater disability impact than any other medical condition. A quarter of a million people are living with long-term disability as a result of stroke in the UK

It turns out that Dave and Edwyn share the same birthday - 23rd August 1959. Were he here today, Dave would also be celebrating his 52nd birthday today. So this is a tribute to the remarkable story of Edwyn Collins and in memory of my much-loved and still-missed brother Dave Beale.

3..2..1..GO!

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