I'm running this year for the Stroke Association because a stroke can happen to anyone at any age without any warning....read on........

The photograph is of Ceara with one of her best friends, Sarah. We live in the same street and the girls went to the same schools and the same college. On Bonfire night last year, they sat in my front garden and pranced around with sparklers. The next day, Sarah collapsed at work, fortunately the paramedics recognised that she had had an aneurysm and she was rushed to the specialist unit in Newcastle.

Thereafter followed a nightmare that no family should have to live through, Sarah had to have two emergency operations and was in intensive care for weeks followed by a long period of slow but good recovery.  As you can see, the Sarah we know and love is just back from a holiday with her family and looking gorgeous.

 Sarah was however one of the lucky ones, a quick diagnosis, a specialist unit with a renowned clinical team on our doorstep and supported by her family and friends.The Stroke Association works to ensure stroke is recognised early and siupports families. I would be very grateful if you would donate whatever you can to help the Association. Sarah, Ceara and I would be very grateful.

Kx