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My dad, who is only 51, suffered a stroke at home in September 2014. Luckily my sister and mum spotted the signs early and he was rushed to hospital quickly. With treatment, 9 months on his condition has improved greatly. I have decided to run Freckleton Half Marathon on 21st June this year in order to raise money for the Stroke Association. Any donation of any size for this cause will be greatly received, and will help towards research to save lives and ensure people have the best recovery they can after a stroke. The information below is taken from the Stroke Association website which explains more about who the charity are and what they do. Thank you.

"Stroke Association is the leading charity in the UK changing the world for people affected by stroke.

In the last 20 years the numbers of people dying of stroke has halved while the number of major strokes has decreased by 40 per cent. More people than ever are benefitting from cutting-edge treatments and making full recoveries. And more people now understand the need to seek emergency treatment for stroke.

We’ve been at the heart of every one of these developments, championing the cause of stroke and stroke survivors.

Our research has helped to improve treatments and care which has saved tens of thousands of lives.

Our support services have helped hundreds of thousands of people get through one of the most frightening experiences of their lives and build a life after stroke.

And our campaigning has touched the lives of even more people through initiatives like the FAST campaign which we developed to help people recognise the signs of a stroke and take emergency action. The Department of Health in England was so impressed with this campaign that they took it up in 2009 and promoted to millions of people.

But there’s still more to do. Every year there are about 152,000 strokes in the UK. Thanks to improvements to stroke care you are twice as likely to survive a stroke than 20 years ago, however stroke remains the UK's third biggest killer.

These figures remain shocking.

Stroke is one of the greatest health challenges of our time but doesn’t get the attention or funding it deserves - especially compared to cancer and heart disease.

As the leading stroke charity in the UK we know we need to change how people think about this devastating disease. But we can’t do it on our own. We need to work with people who share our commitment to changing the world for people affected by stroke - with stroke survivors and their families; with decision makers; with researchers and medics; as well as with our supporters - so that we can ensure stroke gets the attention it deserves.

At the Stroke Association we believe that strokes can and should be prevented.

We believe that everyone has the right to make the best recovery they can from stroke. 

We believe in the power of research to save lives and ensure people make the best recovery they can.

And ultimately, we believe that together we can change the world for people affected by stroke.

We are for life after stroke.

If you have been affected by stroke, if you share our passion to change the world for people affected by stroke, if you share our beliefs, then please do join with us.

Together we can conquer stroke."

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.