Lucy Cochrane-Brown
Lucy Cochrane-Brown

Press release -

Cambridge teacher set to take on London Marathon for the Stroke Association

A teacher from Cambridge is preparing to take on the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon for the Stroke Association after her father had a stroke.

Lucy Cochrane-Brown, 32, who works at King’s College School, Cambridge, was inspired to take on the marathon after her father Don had a devastating stroke in 2011.

Lucy said: “From being an active, funny, kind and intelligent man, Daddy’s whole life changed in an instant. So too did ours.

“We said our goodbyes for what we thought would be the last time. I was getting married the summer after Daddy’s stroke, and I whispered to him that he couldn't leave me now.

“We were then given a glimmer of hope; the opportunity for Daddy to be a trial patient for a new technique called thrombectomy, which involves removing the clot surgically. This technique saved his life, and we’re so thankful to see that the NHS has decided to invest in this vital treatment this week.

“He was there for my wedding and managed – with a lot of help and a huge amount of hard work – to share the last few steps down the aisle with me. To this day, I'm quite sure that giving me away at my wedding was what gave him the strength to survive and kept him going through some very hard weeks and months of rehabilitation. However, his life is not the same. Daddy can no longer walk, he is paralysed down one side of his body, and needs 24 hour care. His physical limitations are hard to bear but, harder still, are the mental and psychological effects. His mind is jumbled – he has vascular dementia, and his personality has changed dramatically. But Daddy still loves us, and we love him.

“I believe in #LoveAfterStroke and that is why I am supporting the Stroke Association. Stroke is cruel, sudden and it is not only something that happens to older people. Stroke can strike at any time and at any age.

“Training has been exhausting but is going well – a bag of frozen peas has become my best friend throughout this! A few swollen joints and some blisters are nothing compared to what Daddy and other stroke survivors have had to go through, and I am sure that thought will help keep me going when the going gets tough on the big day.”

Emma Evans, Events Manager at the Stroke Association, said: “With around 1.2 million people across the UK living with the devastating impact of stroke, it is vital that we have people who can raise funds and help us to conquer stroke. We’re really grateful to Lucy for taking on the Virgin Money London Marathon. We’ll be cheering her on every step of the way as she makes her way through London next week. The money raised through the marathon will fund vital research and support for stroke survivors, as well as help to prevent people from having a stroke.”

To sponsor Lucy, please visit: www.justgiving.com/LVCB

Participants can apply for the 2018 Virgin London Marathon ballot from 01 - 05 May at www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com. Please select the Stroke Association as your preferred charity to apply for a place in the Stroke Association’s team.

The Stroke Association is the UK’s leading stroke charity which campaigns to improve stroke care; supports people to make the best recovery they can; and funds ground-breaking research to change the lives of people affected by stroke. For more information about stroke, ring the Helpline on 0303 30 33 100 or visit www.stroke.org.uk.

Topics

  • A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain. There are more than 100,000 strokes in the UK each year; that is around one stroke every five minutes. There are over 1.2 million people in the UK living with the effects of stroke. 
  • Stroke Association is a charity. We believe in life after stroke and together we can conquer stroke. We work directly with stroke survivors and their families and carers, with health and social care professionals and with scientists and researchers. We campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best recovery they can. We fund research to develop new treatments and ways of preventing stroke. The Stroke Helpline (0303 303 3100) provides information and support on stroke. More information can be found at www.stroke.org.uk

    • Contacts

    Angela Macleod

    Angela Macleod

    Press contact Communications Officer Scotland press and Stroke Association research communications 0131 555 7244
    Laura Thomas

    Laura Thomas

    Press contact Communications Officer Wales 07776508594
    Ken Scott

    Ken Scott

    Press contact Press Officer North of England and Midlands 0115 778 8429
    Daisy Dighton

    Daisy Dighton

    Press contact Press Officer London and East of England 02079401358
    Martin Oxley

    Martin Oxley

    Press contact Press Officer South of England 07776 508 646
    Vicki Hall

    Vicki Hall

    Press contact PR Manager Fundraising and local services 0161 742 7478
    Scott Weddell

    Scott Weddell

    Press contact PR Manager Stroke policy, research and Northern Ireland 02075661528
    Katie Padfield

    Katie Padfield

    Press contact Head of PR & Media This team is not responsible for booking marketing materials or advertising
    Out of hours contact

    Out of hours contact

    Press contact Media queries 07799 436008
    Kate Asselman

    Kate Asselman

    Press contact Artist Liaison Lead 07540 518022
    Tell us your story

    Tell us your story

    Press contact 07799 436008

    The UK's leading stroke charity helping people to rebuild their lives after stroke

    The Stroke Association. We believe in life after stroke. That’s why we campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best possible recovery. It’s why we fund research to develop new treatments and ways to prevent stroke. The Stroke Association is a charity. We rely on your support to change lives and prevent stroke. Together we can conquer stroke.

    Stroke Association
    240 City Road
    EC1V 2PR London
    UK