Hi,

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I am running, well shuffling the Great North Run, all 13.1 miles of it for The Stroke Association because a stroke is one of the country's top 3 killers and a leading cause of disability amongst adults.

My Dad died of a stroke in February 2010. Dad had lost the ability to speak, swallow and the movement on his right side. It was such a shock to see such a proud, strong and capable man in such a vulnerable position.

Dad had always been such a fit man. When he was 17 he found basic army training easy when he enlisted after working as a miner.
Dad loved his sports and I really miss being able to ring him up after an England match to discuss the result. Dad was involved in sports too, not just a spectator. He had been a football referee, a rifle instructor, a cricketer and a gilder pilot. I think he would have been very proud of me for running for The Stroke Association but would have teased me about taking up running non the less.

I know from my occupation how many relatives can feel that they lost their relative after a stroke even if they survived; or how many stroke patients feel that they have lost their confidence after a stroke. Or for those recovering from a stroke the rehabilitation process can feel like running several marathons.

I believe that the best thing I can do to honour my Dad and the determination and hard work surivors put into their rehab is to raise funds for The Stroke Association.

The Stroke Association want a world where there are fewer strokes where all those touched by stroke get the help they need. Their mission is to prevent strokes, and reduce their effect through providing services, education and research.

The Stroke Association needs funds to help support research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation, and to help stroke patients and their families directly through its Life After Stroke Services. So please take the time to offer a donation, big or small it will all help. Thank you.

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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.