Press release -
Hexham teacher takes on the Bupa Great North Run for stroke
A Hexham teacher who lost her dad to stroke will tackle the Bupa Great North Run on Sunday 7 September, to raise vital funds for the Stroke Association.
Tracy McKie, 39, a beauty therapy teacher with Barnardo’s Palmersville Training in North Tyneside, was inspired to take part in the half marathon after her dad Eddie had a severe stroke in 1991, aged just 54. He initially lost his eyesight, before he sadly passed away two weeks later.
Tracy said: “At the time of my dad’s stroke I was only 17 and knew very little about the signs of stroke. I’m keen to raise awareness about stroke and the symptoms, to encourage people to seek emergency medical treatment. I want to raise funds for the Stroke Association because of the incredible work the charity does to support stroke survivors and their families.”
Tracy has been training three times a week in the lead up to the Great North Run, having also completed the challenge in 2013.
She added: “My training has been halted a little by a knee injury but I intend to keep on going and hope to beat my time from last year’s Great North Run. When it comes to the big day, I know I will have my dad in my mind, spurring me on.”
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 Tracy who can raise funds for people affected by stroke. We’re really grateful to her for taking on this rewarding challenge and look forward to cheering her on as she speeds from Newcastle to South Shields.”
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
