I was a full-time GP until I was found collapsed at home by the Police (very embarrassing!) in November 2014.  I was subsequently admitted to Southmead Hospital for tests which revealed I had suffered brain injuries.  I had a left-side weakness; some trouble with speech and an inability to recognise words and numbers.  I could no longer drive and was medically retired the following year.   I lost a huge amount of self-confidence, self-respect and often didn't want to leave the house for days on end.

It wasn't until Bristol After Stroke contacted me that I saw a glimmer of hope and I have been involved with them as both a client and more recently as a volunteer ever since.  I am enormously grateful for the help and support they have given me and others.  It is also one of the few organisations that still provides free transport for people to access the events they organise.  I cannot praise them highly enough.

This run is my way of saying thank you and trying to make a small contribution to enable them to continue their incredibly important work.