Jonathan Hamilton (“Stroker”) has been suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for the last number of years. He's had a challenging time as his MS has progressed, and especially this year as he has undergone ground-breaking stem cell replacement therapy at the department of Haematology at the Hammersmith Hospital.

During the last few months, he has been in and out of hospital for consultations, treatment (including chemotherapy) and recovery, throughout which time he has spent extended periods away from home, his wife Anna and his boys, Freddie & Harry.

Stroker is now convalescing. Time will tell how successful this has been but signs are positive. He is enjoying spending time at home with his family and is growing stronger by the day. You can read more information on Jonno’s blog (https://anythingmorewouldbegreedy.wordpress.com/author/jonnohamilton/)

So we (Mark Raphael and Dave Brown) have decided to run the Belfast Half-Marathon on Sunday 17 September. Stroker has requested that any funds raised will go directly to the amazing facility that carried out
his stem cell therapy. “The Blood Fund” (http://www.imperialcharity.org.uk/the-blood-fund) is Imperial Health Charity’s fundraising campaign for the department at Hammersmith.

We have already started training for the event and though some people are saying Dave is in the shape of his life, if you are placing money it is still a safer bet to bet on Mark.

We know what you’re thinking – “I’m not going to give money for two clowns to run around Belfast for 13.1 miles as I could do that myself and it’s not much of a challenge”. To which we would say two things. Firstly, do feel free to join us as this is not a closed shop, so the more the merrier – just get in touch. Secondly, it’s more about putting your hand in your pocket, digging deep and after filtering out the old fluffy sweets donating what remaining money you have to support what I’m sure you will agree is a very worthy cause.

Finally below is a transcript of a radio interview carried out with the man himself earlier this week for Atlantic 252

Q: First the serious stuff – can you explain what exactly MS is, what type you have, and how long you have had it?

A: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is different for everyone and that is of relevance. If you know someone who has MS, their experiences will likely be different to my own. MS is a neurological condition, an auto-immune disease and it affects my Central Nervous System. It affects more than 100,000 people across the UK. The network of nerves are found throughout the brain, spinal cord and body. The fibres are wrapped in a fatty tissue called myelin which helps transport the impulses. With MS the myelin sheath that covers nerve fibres becomes inflamed and is gradually destroyed. This leaves areas of patchy scar tissue – sclerosis, which disturbs the electrical impulses between the brain and other parts of the body. The crux of the problem is that my immune system isn’t working properly which affects my walking, my day to day living and my eyesight. My MS was diagnosed by a neurologist, and I’ve had a few

Q: Can you briefly outline how this has affected you, especially in recent years as it has progressed?

A: So, I walk badly, like a drunkard after a few too many. It’s pretty ugly and it gets uglier as I fatigue. I walk with a stick, which straightens me up a touch. The main problem is my eyesight, which has gradually got worse. I wear glasses but they only improve the lens of my eye and for me, it’s the message getting to my brain along the optic nerve, which means my eyesight cannot be vastly improved, although there is still hope post stem cell therapy.

Q: You have recently had stem cell therapy – can you outline what this involved, how you were selected for it and what it hopes to achieve?

A: Stem cell therapy is designed to halt the progress of my MS. It clears out my white blood cells system, killing off the white blood cells before improving me by reintroducing white blood cells to my system, harvested and frozen a short while before stem cell therapy kicked off. This means that for a period, I was defenceless (no white blood cells) and receptive to infection, serious infection. The procedure carried a high risk, because of the period without white blood cells.

I had my white blood cells flushed out by high dose chemotherapy, causing me to lose all my hair. My white blood cells were returned to me and writing this months on, I feel they have done their job and I feel somewhat better. My blood counts have improved and are normal and healthy.

Q: I am sure if you were able to, you would love to be running the half marathon as well, where you would probably beat Dave Brown but would be well behind Raffs. Can you provide a target time for each of us to try to reach and do you have any words of advise?

A: Yes, I would love to do the run and possibly I might finish after Mark, but train and become a legend is a well versed phrase and I would do just that!! In terms of a target time, I would think about half a marathon time, but would go for 107 minutes.

Q: Mitch Buchannan. Baywatch. Some might say that you have a similar physique to him and certainly during your time on Bondi Beach you were often mistaken as the Hoff, especially when in your red shorts carrying a float. However, who is your favourite character from Baywatch and what are your two most favourite things about them?

A: I am a big fan of the policeman on his bike. He was very cool, not showy, but trusted and honest. I admire all the stars of Baywatch however, they were great lifeguards – fit, so honest and so wise!

Q: The name Stroker implies many things – can you add a little background as to how you got that nickname. But if you can’t remember or it’s not that interesting provide a funny response so that more money is donated? As someone once said to me “Never let the truth get in the way of a good story!”

A: Sadly it is not a great story, but I think it is based on my ability to stroke a dog and love for small animals. I used to spend man minutes or hours cuddling up with a pup, feeding and treating it and the gathering crowd might chant “Stroke her.”  So it’s really a review of my thoughtful nature.

Q: We hope to raise a bit of money for the hospital – this could range from £10 to a figure slightly higher than this, maybe £11– I understand they are currently trying to raise money to increase their offerings – can you give a bit more detail on this?

A: I would love to give a little back to the hospital which was responsible for my treatment. I understand that they are raising money to enhance their offering, which would mean so much as a legacy.The Blood Fund aims to raise £250,000 over the next year and I would love to lend a hand. This figure will include funding a number of highly skilled research nurse posts to allow more research trials to be established as well as improving the patient environment.

Q: Finally, this is an open mic question. Is there anything else you wish to say to people before they decide to donate?! (no pressure).

A: I would be hesitant about donating to just anyone, but the fact you are reading this suggests that you care. I would just say, share the love, for the good of all.