Tom Warbrick and his big dogs take on a big run
Peter Blackburn is raising money for ARNI (ACTION FOR REHABILITATION AFTER NEUROLOGICAL INJURY)
Participants: Pete Blackburn, Joe Holder, Jon Fisher, Elliott Talbot and Alex Jeffery
Story
In October 2018 Tom Warbrick had a stroke caused by a bleed on the brain during a game of football at the Harvey Hadden Stadium in Bilborough, Nottingham, at the age of just 29.
After being rushed to hospital it was found that Tom was among 1 in 5,000 to have AVM (arteriovenous malformation) - a tangle of abnormal blood vessels connecting arteries and veins in the brain.
Tom, now aged 30, went on a waiting list to have the AVM removed and six or seven weeks later, on December 3, 2018, he went into surgery for around six hours.
Tom, now aged 30, went on a waiting list to have the AVM removed and six or seven weeks later, on December 3, 2018, he went into surgery for around six hours.
In the subsequent 13 months Tom has - through regular physio and sheer determination - regained the use of his left leg. He still has limited use of his left arm and has lost 50 per cent of his vision - but continues to strive to improve every day.
Tom is now in training for the 5km Resolution Run, which is organised in aid of the Stroke Association, on March 15 at Rushcliffe Country Park. He will be joined by a shambolic crew of friends (Pete Blackburn, Alex Jeffery, Elliott Talbot, Joe Holder and Jon Fisher), all taking on the 5km run, too.
The group will be raising funds for the ARNI Stroke Charity (Action for Rehabilitation from Neurological Injury), which supports stroke survivors and families - providing specialist rehabilitation and exercise support after hospital and community physiotherapy finishes.
The charity has been crucial for Tom. In hospital, and on returning home, the NHS has been incredibly supportive, but the ARNI charity has helped take rehabilitation to the next level - giving Tom more confidence.
Tom says: 'I got a lot of confidence from spending time with the founder of ARNI who had a stroke at a young age and now does this work to help others. My personal instructor is also a stroke survivor, which is great. I couldn't think more highly of the staff who helped me in the NHS, but the ARNI needs support too.
'Please support them if you can.'
The team have set a conservative target of £1,200 - but would like to raise much more if possible. Thank you for your generosity.
To read more about Tom's story click here: