As you probably know already, my brilliant Dad died from a stroke. It's a horrible way to end your life. You lose your ability to speak and to move - you can't communicate with your loved ones in your last days and hours and because you have no control over your body, you lose your dignity and sometimes even the respect of others. But strokes don't only affect the old, they can strike at any age, and much more research is needed if we're going to understand the causes and how to help prevent them from happening. I know that money is tight at the moment and that loads of people are doing the Great North Run for charity but if you can spare anything, please consider supporting me.

Thanks for visiting my page and for all the support you've given me over the past years, it really is appreciated.