​Wakefield stroke survivor completes London Marathon as Pink Lady® apple

A young mother and stroke survivor from Wakefield has successfully completed the 2015 Virgin Money London Marathon, dressed as a Pink Lady® apple to raise vital funds for the Stroke Association.

Berni Cooper, 33, was at home looking after her 14-month old son when she had a stroke in 2011, aged just 30 years old. She suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed on the floor, and terrifyingly couldn’t feel or move her left arm and leg. Berni managed to call an ambulance and arrived at hospital in time to receive the clot busting treatment, thrombolysis. Thankfully in the days that followed, Berni’s movement came back relatively quickly and with physiotherapy and support from the Stroke Association, she now has no lasting effects.

Berni was chosen to run as a Pink Lady® apple after a tough selection process on the Stroke Association’s social media channels. Every year four Virgin Money London Marathon runners dress up in Pink Lady® apple costumes and run the full marathon, raising money for charity. This year the brand picked the Stroke Association to benefit from money raised by its runners, and called out to fill the final place via the Stroke Association’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

The mother of two completed the race on Sunday 26 April in just 4 hours 28 minutes. She said: “My whole marathon experience was absolutely amazing. I had the most brilliant weekend and the support I got dressed as a Pink Lady® Apple was unbelievable.

“I feared I'd never walk again let alone run. But I made an amazing recovery. I value every step I take now and being able to run is so wonderful. What better way to raise money and awareness for the Stroke Association, all while celebrating my life after stroke?”

Jim Swindells, Director of Fundraising for the Stroke Association said: “We’re delighted that Pink Lady® apples has chosen to support us in this way and we’re so proud of Berni for completing the race. She was the perfect runner to wear the fabulous Pink Lady® apple outfit and is real proof that there is life after stroke.”

Chief Marketing Officer for Pink Lady®, Michelle Toft said: “The 2015 Virgin Money London Marathon is such a wonderful, inspirational spectacle and we always enjoy being part of it. Often our runners choose their own charities, but this year we’ve chosen to support Stroke Association. Stroke affects so many people and their friends and families in this country and the charity does such fabulous work to help them all. It also promotes healthy eating, which is what we’re all about.”

In Yorkshire and Humberside, there are more than 10,600 strokes per year and over 112,300 people living with the effects of stroke. For more information about stroke, ring the Helpline on 0303 30 33 100 or visit www.stroke.org.uk.