In August 2020, my dad suffered a severe stroke and I saw first-hand the devastating impact the condition can have.  He spent several weeks in hospital, gradually recovering despite us being told that he did not have long to live.  Through visiting the stroke ward whilst he was there, I saw how strokes affect such a range of people from different walks of life.  It was also eye-opening to see the number of incredible NHS staff involved with his care and rehabilitation.

We were fortunate that dad made it back home and has since then managed to recover some use of his body.  He was able to secure an electric wheelchair, which helped him regain independence but also, importantly, get back out on his beloved dog walks with my mum once more.  The experience has shown me how much a stroke can turn lives upside down, but also how small victories in recovery can mean so much when you are rebuilding your life.

I am thrilled to be running the London Marathon 2022 and fundraising for the Stroke Association.  They have a multifaceted approach towards funding pioneering research and providing specialist support to stroke survivors.  The experience I have had with my family has shown me that care and support is not just needed when someone has a stroke, but also across the long and complex road of recovery.

I would like to sincerely thank everyone who is able to donate whatever they can afford to this cause.  Here’s a bit more from The Stroke Association:

The Stroke Association are the UK's leading stroke charity, delivering amazing, life-changing support to over 70,000 stroke survivors and their families each year.Without people raising funds for the Stroke Association they could not provide the support and research that they do. Your donations are so important to rebuilding lives after stroke.  Where your support goes:- £80 could allow a a stroke survivor to attend a six week communication computer course- £199 could pay for one hour of Helpline activity- £310 could pay for the initial training and expenses of a befriending volunteer- £1,685 could pay for a fitness coach to provide stroke specific exercise rehabilitation- £40,000 funds a Lectureship Award for stroke doctor, nurse, therapist or scientist for a year- £450,000 fully funds a Priority Programme Award in haemorrhagic stroke, vascular dementia and stroke, or the psychological and cognitive impact of stroke, which would run over the course of 5 years