As lots of you already know, my girlfriend Lizzie suffered a stroke in February. She is currently recovering in Canterbury hospital and has been there for the past few months. The first time I went to visit Lizzie on the day it happened, she was completely paralyzed on her left side, her face was droopy and she could barely string a sentence together. She was completely dependent on the nurses to complete the simplest tasks like showering and getting to the toilet. It was such a shocking and upsetting time for everyone, especially those that are close to her. I hate to say it, but it was like looking at a different person and none of us knew if the old Lizzie would come back.

As the slow and draining weeks went by, we saw improvements in Lizzie's condition. With physiotherapy and occupational therapy for an hour every weekday she re-developed lots of the skills she could do before the stroke. I've seen her walk with a stick, walk up stairs, make cups of tea and complete memory tests that seemed like impossible tasks on day one. Without the facilities the hospital provides, Lizzie may not have become as independent as she has done over the past few months. But thankfully, because of her progress she is currently looking forward to coming home in the next few weeks! 

Stroke Association is a charity that uses research to save lives, prevent stroke and ensure people make the best recovery they can. Research funded by the Stroke Association has the ultimate aim of making a stroke a preventable and treatable disease, and improving the quality of life for people affected by stroke. They also provide an internet and phone service for people like me who have found the situation difficult and they are on hand to give information and advice to people that have been directly effected by stroke.

My good friend Alex has kindly agreed to run along side me (most probably in front of me) on this 30k half marathon which we are currently training for. We want to make some money for this amazing charity that have helped me through this tough time and more importantly, brought my girlfriend back! Without their research, the hospital wouldn't have such a facilitating stroke and neurorehabilitation unit, and Lizzie may not have recovered as well as she has done. So please do your bit and donate to make all this painful training worth it. 

Any donation will be much appreciated, 

Cheers! 

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