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My name is Claire and I lead a Progression group which helps people to build their running distance up to 10k. Over the next few months a team of us will be challenging ourselves futher by training to run 15k in April and hoping to raise some money for the Stroke Association along the way. 

After one particular progression run, early in 2018, I was approached by a gentleman called Chris who told me he was recovering from a stroke. 

Chris is my inspiration for organising and setting up this fundraising group and he will be running with us as part of the team on the day. I now consider him to be a good friend (even though he still doesn’t listen to a word I say 😉).

Here is Chris Jolliffe’s story. He is an amazing man. 

A year and a half ago, physical wellbeing was low on my agenda. I often worked late and ate my lunch “al desko” but then something happened that completely changed my outlook on life.

In August 2017 I was enjoying a holiday on the Amalfi Coast with my wife Louise when I woke up on the last day to find I was struggling to speak; I knew something wasn’t right; I went to brush my teeth and the water spilled down my face, I felt really disorientated.

Despite feeling really unwell I went for breakfast and then to the airport to fly home. After attempting to sleep it off I dialled 111 and was in Royal Blackburn Hospital within half an hour, where they told me I’d had a stroke.

I left hospital in a state of shock; I was only 47 – how could something like this have happened? I didn't think I was unfit and I hadn't felt ill. I didn't know I had high blood-pressure and I didn't believe I was overweight.

My confidence hit rock-bottom. I was depressed and wondered if I would ever work again. I worried about my family and future. I was very lucky to not have any lasting physical effects but I was in a state of complete shock.

Shortly after I came home from hospital I was visited by the Stroke Association to talk through my situation and concerns. They assessed my needs and described what they could do to support me. They organised a visit from a counsellor, who talked to me about how I was feeling and helped me see a way forward and work out my goals.

They helped me understand I was a Stroke survivor not a victim. A personal trainer visited me at home to talk about helping me to get fit and not long after I began to attend a weekly gym session.

To start with these were really difficult and I would push myself to the point where I needed three days to recover afterwards but, over time, I began to learn my limits and grow in confidence.

Just 12 weeks after my stroke, I began my phased return to work. During my phased return I continued my weekly gym sessions and, after a while, the weights increased, the boxing got faster, I could cycle for longer and I progressed from walking to jogging on the treadmill.

After Christmas, and after a lot of encouragement from my wife I made the decision to take up the NHS running programme Couch to 5k. It was the final week of the programme before I was able to share my reasons for doing it and what had happened to me.

The support I received was very special and helped me get through to the end. My youngest daughter joined me on the programme and we completed our Celebration run together, which was an emotional moment for us both.

Running was hard to begin with but gave me back more than I could ever have imagined, my energy levels are sky-high, my weight dropped by over two stone and I'm now proudly wearing size 32" waist trousers for the first time since my early 20s!

 After the 5k with my Couch group I also completed the 2018 Stoke Resolution 5k Run where I raised over £1,000 through the generosity of many family and friends.

After that I decided to progress to the next level; 10k. I joined a new running group where I met and made a new group of very special people. The group have a special bond, they feel like my extended family, we all support each other, and they understand my motivation.

I completed the program culminating with my first 10k in June. After realising just how much I enjoyed running I decide to become a volunteer for the group helping other people to achieve their goals.

When I entered the 2019 Resolution Run I opted to push myself further and so I entered the 15k race with my wife Louise. To my surprise and joy my running group also decided to join us so we can support each other as we work towards our next milestone which is the Liverpool half-marathon in May!

Since the beginning of this year I have become a volunteer for the Stroke Association getting involved with supporting other Stroke Survivors in as many ways as I can. Every five minutes in the UK, someone’s life is turned upside down by stroke. By signing up to a Resolution Run, each runner will help us do so much more to support stroke survivors and their families as they rebuild their lives.

I’m thrilled that my running group are taking part, we want to raise as much as we can for the Stroke Association to help others affected by stroke to get the support they need.

At least half of strokes could be prevented if people made simple lifestyle changes, such as keeping blood pressure under control, eating healthily and taking regular exercise. The money raised through the Resolution Runs will help the Stroke Association to fund vital research and support people affected by stroke in the North West.

I hope my story inspires anyone that reads it to donate to this good cause, get your blood pressure checked and to not be afraid to exercise and push yourself. Eat healthily and enjoy life – it’s precious.Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.