On September 17th I will be running the Richmond Marathon in order to raise donations for a very good friend of mine. In January of this year Daniel Mole, a normal 27 year old guy, suffered an unexpected Brain haemorrhage due to an aneurysm and collapsed at home. Dan underwent life saving surgery at Addenbrookes where they clipped the aneurysm. Shortly after he contracted a severe case of Vesospasm (prevention of blood to the brain) which limited his chances of survival greatly. During this time he went into a Coma and suffered a stroke to the brain and a seizure. The doctors said he would suffer paralysis down his right hand side that would not change.

After regaining consciousness, Dan could not talk, walk, communicate and struggled with simple commands. During his time in Addenbrookes Dan had intensive cognitive and physical rehab 5 days a week in order to help him regain his ability to walk, talk and carry out simple daily tasks like eating and drinking. After about 4 months, through nothing but sheer determination and the love of his Fiancé Megan and supportive family and friends, Dan battled the odds and over several months over came these limitations. He was allowed home from Addenbrookes and is currently on an intensive 18 week cognitive and physical rehabilitation programme. Megan has had to leave her job to become Dans full time carer and even simple therapeutic dog walks have proved a struggle where Dan recently rolled his ankle due to muscle weakness and causing him to fall and lose conciousness- This caused him to be re-admitted to hospital with the outcome of a broken ankle. His rehab is currently 4 days a week 9am-4pm, 45minutes away from there home and he is having private physiotherapy to build the strength back in his muscles on the right side in the hope of getting back to the life he had once before.

I want to raise money for Dan's rehabilitation needs as before this year- Dan was a normal happy go lucky non smoking, hard working 27year old. This year has thrown obstacles in his path left right and centre and he still battles on! I have never enjoyed running in my adult life but this is no battle in comparison to my dear friend. I will push through the 26 miles knowing Dan has pushed on without ever giving up. He is a real inspiration and we never know what life will throw at us. So please help me, help someone else. Thank you for reading!! xx