Nothing prepares you for seeing the person you love most, fighting for their life and knowing you’ve been plunged into a total nightmare.

On 4th October 2024, our world changed forever when my fit, healthy and funny dad suffered a brain stem stroke out of nowhere. It stopped the oxygen getting to a critical part of his brain and after doctors worked on him in resus, he was eventually put on life support and moved to ICU. I prayed for a miracle, but by October 6th, we were devastated to hear that he was severely brain damaged and life would never be the same again.

The doctors spoke of a future without speech, movement, or independence. Knowing this was my dad’s worst nightmare, I spoke to him, letting him know it was okay to let go. Ten minutes later, his breathing changed, and we knew he had made his choice. We had to prepare to say our final goodbyes.

I made the hardest call of my life, telling my brother that Dad would soon be gone. As James made his way home from his honeymoon in Africa, I stayed by Dad’s side, willing him to hold on and wait until James got to the hospital to say goodbye. Dad fought so hard through over 24 hours of end of life care to make sure James had time to get to us and at around 10.10pm on Monday 7th October he died with us all around him.

The shock and trauma of such a sudden loss is one that no person can ever comprehend. The weekend prior to this nightmare, Dad and I had been in Manchester having a very normal, very fun, dad & daughter weekend away.

So, it seems right to honour him by returning to Manchester this October, to mark the one year anniversary of our loss by running the Manchester Half Marathon with my brother James, and some of our very supportive friends, to raise funds for the Stroke Association.

We're all working hard to get to 21km, but every step will be powered by my dad’s strength and courage.

The Stroke Association's specialist support, research and campaigning are only possible with the courage and determination of the stroke community.