When my Daddy had a stroke in 2011, the “clot busting” drug was not successful for him and the excellent medical team advised us to say our goodbyes. I was due to be married and he was to walk me down the aisle - I whispered to him that he just wasn't allowed to leave me now because King's College Chapel had far too long an aisle for me to go it alone... to this day, I'm quite sure he fought for survival for this reason!

We were given a glimmer, albeit only a small glimmer of hope. There was the opportunity for my dad to be a trial patient for a new technique, thrombectomy, which involves removing the clot surgically. This technique saved his life, as it is now doing for other stroke victims and we hope that it will soon be available in hospitals across the UK.

My dad did recover but the effect on his life and the rest of the family has been shattering. He loved his job, he was active and was looking forward to so much. He had none of the usual risk factors that are often associated with stroke: he ate healthily; he had never smoked; he didn’t suffer from high blood pressure or obesity.

Today, he cannot walk or do things for himself. He also suffers from vascular dementia and his personality has changed dramatically since the stroke. It took us a long time to come to terms with how and why this could have happened to him.

As we now realise, stroke can happen to anyone.

He spent five months in hospital and has lived in nursing homes ever since. Mummy visits him every day and together as a family we try to make his life as positive as possible. It hasn’t been easy. He is not the same person any more but he’s still my Daddy and we love him.

We wanted to do more to help other stroke survivors and their families. We were so proud of my big sister for becoming a trustee of the Stroke Association last year and I wanted to help by raising awareness and possibly some pennies along the way.

I am running the Cambridge Half Marathon on Sunday 28th February in support of the Stroke Association, so if you're in the area, look out for me in my distinctive purple running vest!

I’m a teacher at King’s College School, Cambridge, so I’m hoping that many of my lovely littlies will be cheering for their Mrs. C-B along the route!

Stroke has become much closer to us as a school after another poor teacher's mummy suffered a stroke early this year but is mercifully now recovering. It is a slow process though and she, like so many others who go through this, is uncertain and anxious about the future. Hearing of her pain and frustrations over the unknown brought back so many emotions for me and this is what spurred me on to do something. I am very lucky and incredibly proud to have the support of the school and our wonderful choristers. 

After my little 13.1 mile (!) run, my family and friends will be joining me at a 'Bring Me Sunshine' party as it’s my birthday that weekend. As well as enjoying a bit of summer during a grey February, I have asked my guests to make a little donation to the Stroke Association instead of bringing presents.

My Daddy did walk me down the aisle on my wedding day, be it only a very few steps and with a great deal of help. It is a moment in my life that I will remember forever - I never dreamt he would be there but his determination to walk me to the altar was inspiring and emotional - for everyone. A true tear-fest!

Together, we can conquer stroke and bring the sunshine back to other people who have suffered.

Why not get your flip flops out and hold your own 'Bring me Sunshine' party this month! Just download a party pack from www.stroke.org.uk

It is with such an incredible family, the most precious of friends and being so very well cared for by all at King's that I felt sunshine through what was a very sad and tricky time in my life. This is my opportunity to thank them for their unending love and support. Xx