Hi!

Thank you for visiting our fundraising page.  This year's GNR is going to be our seventh consecutive Great North Run and will be particularly poignant for us, as we are running for The Stroke Association in memory of Sean's dad, Des, who sadly passed away last November (after suffering a haemorrhagic stroke two weeks earlier).

For those of you who, like us, didnt know, a stroke is the third most common cause of death in the UK.  It kills three times more women in the UK than breast cancer.  It's also the single most common cause of severe disability and every year, an estimated 150,000 people in the UK have one.  That's roughly one every five minutes.  It usually affects older people but it can happen to anyone, including children and babies.  The Stroke Association therefore focuses on prevention and giving support to sufferers and their families.  It also campaigns to raise stroke awareness and funds further research too.

The Great North Run is the world's largest 13.1 mile (21km) half marathon with around 40,000 entrants.  Please take a look at the course or the timelapsed video to get an idea of our task ahead.  Old age and increasing injuries won't be making this year's race any easier, so please help us make this challenge as worthwhile as possible by sponsoring us.  Any donation will be gratefully received.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. All donations are sent electronically to The Stroke Association and if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax can be reclaimed and added to your gift at no cost to you.

Please help us make a difference.  Thank you for your support.

Sean and Louise

PS: Look out for us on the BBC on Sunday.  We'll be a few miles behind Paula Radcliffe!