In May 2026, I will be running the Edinburgh Marathon in support of Different Strokes. 🩵

Stroke is the single biggest cause of disability in the UK, but it's not always the visible disabilities that stroke survivors have to contend with. Different Strokes is a charity that supports younger people whose lives have been changed by stroke.

In April 2024, I had an ischaemic stroke caused by a PFO, a small hole in the heart. Around one in four people have a PFO, yet it is rarely detected unless someone experiences a stroke or a TIA. Thankfully, I have since had the PFO closed through surgery and have made a full recovery. However, I will never forget those first few months after my stroke, which were some of the most mentally challenging of my life.

During that time, the advice and support from Different Strokes were invaluable. I am running this marathon to give back to the charity, to raise awareness of stroke in younger people, and to show how far recovery can take you. Completing a marathon was never something that was on my bucket list, and at the time of my stroke it certainly wasn’t something I ever thought I would be able to do in the future, which is why this challenge means so much to me.

If you are able to donate, no matter how small, or even just share this page, I would be so grateful for your support.

https://differentstrokes.co.uk/stories/ellies-story-ischaemic-stroke-at-24/