Alex's Story .... 

A couple of days after my 18th Birthday in 2018 my Nan suffered a stroke which changed her life and the rest of my families life. 

My Nan lost nearly all function to the right side of her body and was unable to walk after her stroke and became dependant on the carers she would have come in four times a day and my brilliant Grandad who was always by her side for whatever she needed, even though he is 87 himself there was never a moment where he wasn't there for her. 

In late April 2020 Nan became very weak as she was eating very little and had to be taken into hospital where after a week she passed away. 

In October of that year my Mum ran the virtual marathon for the Stroke Association which is when I slowly started to realise this was something I also wanted to do. Fast forward a year and she completed the 2021 Marathon (in an amazing time!) and I decided I wanted to do it. Not just for myself but for my Nan and everyone else who is affected by a stroke in their life time - whether that is themselves or a family member. Every 5 minutes in the UK someone has a stroke and their lives are impacted forever, I think  the work that the Stroke association does is so important and why I believe it is so vital we raise money for such an amazing charity.

Juliet's Story (Juliet is injured and hopes to run in 2023) 

Like Alex, in 2018 our lives changed forever when mum had her stroke.  Seeing mum suffer so much, losing all her dignity and dad caring for her broke my heart every single day.  When mum passed away in 2020 it was so hard, not being able to visit her and knowing she was alone still haunts me today.  What I would of given for just one last hug.

Today, dad is doing well, I know he misses mum so much every day but he gets out and for 86 is absolutely amazing.  When mum went into the ambulance that day the last thing she said to me was "look after your dad".  I hope she is watching and knows we miss her like crazy and we are looking after him every day.

The Stroke Association are the UK's leading stroke charity, delivering amazing, life-changing support to over 70,000 stroke survivors and their families each year.  Without people raising funds for the Stroke Association they could not provide the support and research that they do. Your donations are so important to rebuilding lives after stroke.Where your support goes:- £80 could allow a a stroke survivor to attend a six week communication computer course- £199 could pay for one hour of Helpline activity- £310 could pay for the initial training and expenses of a befriending volunteer- £1,685 could pay for a fitness coach to provide stroke specific exercise rehabilitation- £40,000 funds a Lectureship Award for stroke doctor, nurse, therapist or scientist for a year- £450,000 fully funds a Priority Programme Award in haemorrhagic stroke, vascular dementia and stroke, or the psychological and cognitive impact of stroke, which would run over the course of 5 years

Thank you for taking the time to read my story!