whoop whoop no more days to go last minute sponsors more than welcome or you can sponsor me for being t total for two whole days x

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

It has been 3 long years since I ran my first full marathon and whilst I haven't hit the big 50 yet, my boobs ARE a bit closer to the floor and my bones are just that bit creakier! So this time I am going for the " unlucky for some 13 " . Woo! Woo! a half marathon. But what a fab half marathon it is. The Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon on the 6th October 2013 starts and finishes in Hyde Park, London. Posh or what?!

This time around I am running for The Stroke Association. Stroke is a cause that is so close to my heart. Close to my family's heart. In 2009 my darling Dad had a massive stroke and cardiac arrest. Thankfully he survived. Spending 6 months shuttling between Walsall Manor, Cannock and Stafford hospitals fortunately Dad was in good hands. Meanwhile, we were left looking for answers. Why did this happen? What'll it be like when he comes home? What support is there available to him? To us? Help!

After yet another early morning " he's taken a turn for the worse call", one of us found a copy of Stroke News lying in the waiting room, and then we looked at the Stroke Association website and then we spoke to one of their community co-ordinators. While it's all a bit of a blur now, It was the Stroke Association who helped us find clarity in understanding what we were dealing with, that gave us the tools to ask the right questions (Dr Oke we still love you!) and who gave us hope that whilst things would never be the same for Dad (or for us) we most definately all had a future together....

ABOUT STROKE

Every year an estimated 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke. That's one person every five minutes.Most people affected are over 65, but anyone can have a stroke, including children and even babies. (In the past year alone, out and about as a postie I've heard of two women both only in their 30s who've had a stroke.)

Stroke changes lives. It can have a huge effect on you and your family. Like us you will want to know as much as you can about what practical, emotional and financial support is available.These are just some of the ways in which your donation can make a real differenve to the lives of those affected by stroke.

£5 could help us to provide 15 people with crucial leaflets like 'Communication problems after stroke' which help people to come to terms with the profound difference to their lives after stroke.

£10 can go to purchasing large-handled cutlery specifically designed for use by a stroke survivor to help improve their quality of life after stroke.

£20 could help our Helpline team to give life-changing advice to a stroke survivor or their loved one struggling to cope after the trauma of a stroke. (Don't know where we'd have been without this.)

£50 could help ensure we continue to invest in vital stroke research. The research we fund helps the medical profession to understand more about the causes of stroke, pioneering treatment for stroke patients and innovative stroke rehabilitation equipment. Investing in research can help to prevent stroke and save lives.

£200 can help us provide a life changing Life After Stroke Grant to a person affected by stroke. It can help buy a ramp so they can access their home more easily and be able to live a more independant life after stroke.

So there you have it. This is what I am running for. Please support me in whatever way you can. Look out for me out running with my mad border collies around Great Wyrley and Cheslyn Hay showing off my creaky knees in my postie shorts and give me a wave AND then make sure you sponsor me!

I will keep you posted on various events coming up over the next 5 months and I will be after you to come to a fundraising event or to donate a raffle prize or two!! I hope that I will see each and every one of you somewhere along the line showing your support for me and people like my darling dad.And to top it all, all donations will go to Great Wyrley and District Stroke Support Group

Gimmee,gimmee,gimmee!!

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