When stroke strikes, part of your brain shuts down and so does a part of you. Life changes in an instant and recovery is tough. 

This is what happened to my fit, healthy, 51 year old sister, Claire. In an instant, she lost her ability to speak, read or write. All manner of communication gone. Potentially a catastrophic life change that would impact her, her sons, husband, family, friends, work - every aspect of her life.

I don't want to say she is lucky but she is one of the lucky ones as treatment was given early and she worked hard on recuperation. Nearly a year on she is recovering well and has gone  on to complete her deferred degree with a First. 

The London Marathon 2020 is almost a year to the day Claire had her stroke. I will be running a slow but determined race, my aim to get round. I hung up my marathon shoes 10 years ago but rediscovered them in an emotional moment and a sense of hopelessness at the time of Claire's stroke.

Raising money is my small way of contributing and with a little help from anyone reading this, we can make a difference to those recovering from a Stroke.

The Stroke Association provides specialist support, research and campaigning and is only possible with the courage and determination of the stroke community. With donations and support from you, it can rebuild even more lives.