In 2013, aged 18, I had a stroke. Now 10 years on, and thankfully fully recovered, I am excited to be running the London Marathon on behalf of the Stroke Association. Alongside raising crucial funding to help this charity support stroke survivors and carers, and fund vital research, I hope to raise awareness that a stroke can affect anyone of any age.

I feel honoured to be running the London Marathon for Stroke Association in just over 12 weeks (ahhh!!). I signed up on a whim feeling proud that I could run more than 3 miles. Now I just need to brave a lot of freezing winter runs to make up the extra 23 miles!

My stroke

I'd just finished my exams, waiting for my A Level results and was working at a supermarket when the stroke happened. I had many of the telltale signs - the right side of my face fell, I was weak down one side, I had issues speaking and understanding conversation. 

I vividly remember thinking to myself, this feels like I’m having a stroke. Yet due to my age, both those who witnessed it, as well as myself, didn’t think I was actually having a stroke. I instead put it down to a particularly bad migraine. 

It would take three more days of screaming headaches, trouble walking, problems speaking, writing and communicating, and constant sleeping before I went to a hospital where doctors diagnosed a blood clot in my brain. After many tests, they concluded that the cause was due to a previously undetected hole in my heart, which I later had surgery to close. 

Likely helped by my age, after a lot of speech and occupational therapy, my brain was able to rewire itself around the affected parts and I have since made a full recovery.

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I hope this is a reminder that stroke affects anyone, at any time, of any age. I really do count myself as one of the lucky ones. Seeking medical attention in the first three hours offers means the person can receive medication that gives them the best chance of survival and recovery. (See end of the page for a FAST reminder).

If you are able to, any donation is hugely appreciated and will really spur me on. If not, please remind yourself and others of the FAST symptoms - it saves lives!

(Unfortunately it's unlikely I'll be particularly FAST on marathon day - sorry to anyone coming to support!). 

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FAST

• Facial weakness: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped? Do they have sudden blurred vision or loss of sight?

• Arm weakness: Can the person raise both arms? Is there weakness on one side of the body?

• Speech problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say? Can they suddenly not speak as usual? Are they confused?

• Time to call 999: if you see any of these signs.