I am running the Leeds 10k in July to raise money and awareness for The Stroke Association. My Great Uncle John, who is like a granddad to both my brother and I, unfortunately had stroke back in 2008.

A former Marine and Justice of the Peace Magistrate, Uncle John is a highly regarded member of society, he is known for his savvy style, his charm with the ladies and most of all his wicked sense of humour.. This is a man that went food shopping and came back with a new sports car.....

At the ripe age of 82 he had started to live his life again after being widowed. He met his partner Sylvia, a wonderful loving person, and they started to embrace life. They went on days out, cruises, holidays, they bought a beautiful home together and he had his spark back.

Then in August 2008, tragedy struck and he had a stroke, he is now wheelchair bound having has lost the movement and sensation of his left side, he is partially blind and needs round the clock care, he has taken residence in the Royal British Legion Care home in Ripon, where such support and care is exceptional. It has brought such devastation to the family and also to Uncle John, he is a proud man and its heartbreaking to see someone with such pride having to ask for help. On 2 occasions we have nearly lost him....

4 years on he is still fighting, he has built  up great friendships with other residents and all the nurses have fallen for his charm, he goes swimming on a weekly basis, goes on day trips with Sylvia and you can often find him having a tipple of whisky in his room,....

My brother Lee gets married on the 23rd March next year, Uncle John will be beside him as his Best Man... I am fund raising for The Stroke Association as a thank you for keeping Uncle John alive and continuingly giving him all the tools and support he needs to push further, he is going to stand - even if it's just for a minute - next to Lee on his big day.

He is true legend.