Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page!

This Sunday I am running the Edinburgh marathon for the Stroke Association.

Initially I chose to raise money for the Stroke Association as both my grandparents have had strokes which seriously affected their mobility and I wanted to run for them! I was running in memory of my Grandpa and for my Grandma, for her fighting spirit and determination.

10 weeks into my training and 9 weeks before the marathon, I woke up with a pain behind my left eye and the worst headache of my life. The headache worsened throughout the day and that night I was admitted into hospital. Following a CT venogram they found an extensive blood clot in my brain which was greatly reducing the blood flow out of my brain. I was diagnosed with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, a rare cause of stroke. We are still unsure what caused the clot to form but I am so so lucky that I was diagnosed so quickly as it is often missed and can have very serious consequences.

I am still running for my grandparents but I am running more than ever to raise awareness of the Stroke Association. Anyone can be affected by strokes, regardless of their age. I don’t want to worry anyone but I would also say, if you have a headache that feels worse/different to a headache you’ve ever experienced - it might be worth checking out!

I am unlikely to be able to finish this marathon as I had to stop my training, but I’m definitely starting it!

The Stroke Association are here to support people to rebuild their lives after stroke. They provide specialist support, fund critical research and campaign to make sure people affected by strokes get the very best care and support to rebuild their lives.

Any support and donations you can give towards this amazing charity would be really appreciated, thank you!