Liam Stapleton

Liam's London Marathon 2018

Fundraising for Stroke Association
£2,946
raised of £4,000 target
Donations cannot currently be made to this page
Event: London Marathon 2018, on 22 April 2018
Join #TeamStroke in fundraising for the Virgin Money London Marathon 2018!

Story

After a stroke whilst skiing in Austria on Christmas Day 2014, my life changed. I had to retire as a teacher and had to recover with speech and my right arm. After six months of therapy I had improved a lot and joined with the Velmore Stroke Support Group. After a holiday down to Australia, I saw James Faulkner, Senior Lecturer in University of Winchester. He put me on an 8 week programme to improve my health by using the treadmill and free weights. Just 8 weeks? What a difference! I enjoyed running on the treadmill and I found muscles I never thought I had before. As a result I joined membership in a gym and used it 3 or 4 times a week, and swimming. I increased the speed on the treadmill (9.5kph) between 5K to 10K. 

In September 2016 I did the first 'proper' run. I did the Andover 10K under the hour (59:04). This went to do the Great South Run (10 mile) in 1:45:35, not bad for an old guy. Even better, I got under the 50th out of 30,000 runners. What next? of course a marathon. I didn't get into the 2017 London Marathon, of course, but the Stroke Association gave me a place in the Brighton Marathon. James put me onto a training plan with graduates in the University of Winchester. I had to eat more food as I was eating less that I needed. They looked at my cholesterol, blood pressure, CO2 in and out etc. Increasing the distance day by day until I did 35K on a treadmill. I was ready for the full marathon 42K run.   What and amazing full marathon. The crowds were superb the whole way and I ran the whole way. I finished in 5:04:02! I had to get a half marathon so I did the last 4 big run. I finished the Great North Run in September under two and a half hour (2:27:56). 

After all this training, I raised over £4000 for the Stroke Association. So what next? Of course I'm being trained as a Stroke Ambassador and a trainer as a Stroke Volunteer with the support group, and prepared for the London Marathon 2018. 

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About the campaign

Join #TeamStroke in fundraising for the Virgin Money London Marathon 2018!

About the charity

Stroke Association

Verified by JustGiving

RCN 211015
When stroke strikes, part of your brain shuts down. And so does a part of you. Life changes instantly and recovery is tough. But the brain can adapt. Our specialist support, research and campaigning are only possible with the courage and determination of the stroke community.

Donation summary

Total raised
£2,945.43
+ £485.86 Gift Aid
Online donations
£2,945.43
Offline donations
£0.00

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