Press release -
Father and son duo take on the Bupa Great North Run and Mini Great North Run for stroke
A Morecambe father will tackle the Bupa Great North Run on Sunday 7 September in memory of his Nanna who had a stroke, while his four year old son will compete in the Mini Run, all in support of the Stroke Association.
Father of three, Craig Morton, 35, was inspired to sign up for the half marathon after his Nanna Marjorie Thompson had a stroke in 2013, following suffering a broken hip.
The stroke left Marjorie with no speech or sight in her left eye, and no movement in her left hand side. After a valiant fight, Marjorie sadly passed away from pneumonia in October 2013 aged 80. She was a mother of seven, with 20 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.
Craig’s little boy Joseph will also raise funds for the Stroke Association, when he competes in the 1.5k Bupa Mini Great North Run on Saturday 6 September.
Craig said: “Joseph saw me compete in the Great North Run last year and wanted to have his own medal, so we signed him up for the Mini Run! My training is going well, although I suffered an ankle injury a few weeks ago which led to shin splints, but I’m sure I’ll be firing on all cylinders come race day. I’m running with a friend, Charlie Wilson of Sunderland Body Art, who took part with me last year. Our competitive nature means we’re both hoping to beat each other’s times!
“We’ve chosen to raise funds for the Stroke Association to help other families affected by stroke to get the support they need. The charity does so much to raise awareness of this terrible condition.”
Janet Price, Regional Fundraiser at the Stroke Association, said: “With around 152,000 strokes a year in the UK – that’s around one every three and a half minutes - it is vital that we have people like Craig and little Joseph who can raise funds for people affected by stroke. We’re really grateful to them for taking on this challenge, and will be cheering them on as they speed through Newcastle.”
To sponsor Craig and Joseph, visit https://www.justgiving.com/Craig-Morton3/
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, visit stroke.org.uk or call the helpline on 0303 3033 100.
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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 around 152,000 strokes in the UK every year and it is the leading cause of severe adult disability. 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 we’re leading a community of people to change the world for people affected by 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 ww.stroke.org.uk
