​Local stroke survivor marks a milestone in his recovery with the Stroke Association

A stroke survivor from Wandsworth is taking part in the Stroke Association’s Resolution Run at Clapham Common on Sunday 10 March, to mark a year since his stroke.

Cliff Hill, 49, had a stroke in March last year. Cliff said: “I was at a school quiz one evening when out of nowhere I had a stroke. All of a sudden I had extreme nausea and vertigo, I started vomiting and had an intense pain in my head. In that moment my life was turned upside down. The stroke was severe, I was told I was lucky to survive

“After spending six months recovering from the stroke, I went back to work part time in October, and I’m now on a journey figuring out this post stroke version of myself. A year before my stroke I took up running, and my neurologists and doctors told me that the fitness I had gained through my running was key to having survived my stroke, and also having less physical and cognitive deficits.

“Regaining my fitness has been very important to me. I wanted a way to mark my recovery, and made a promise to myself since day one that I would do so by running on my stroke anniversary. The Stroke Association’s Resolution Run is the perfect way for me to celebrate how much I’ve achieved since my stroke. I am setting my sights on the 10k route, and will be running it with fiancé, Sarah. The Resolution Run is the perfect start to 2019, and will be followed later in the year with our wedding and my 50th birthday. I feel very blessed to have survived last year, and to have such a bright year ahead.”

Rebecca Broad, Regional Fundraiser at the Stroke Association, said: “A Resolution Run is exactly that – a resolution for the New Year that counts. It's the ideal event for people in London who want to do something fun together, while getting more active in 2019. We’re so glad to hear about Cliff’s recovery after his stroke last year, and will be cheering him on as he makes his way through Clapham Common.

“In the UK there are around 100,000 strokes every year. Our latest research ⁽ⁱ⁾ shows that by training and taking part in a Resolution Run, you are helping to lower your stroke risk. The funds raised by each runner like Cliff means we can reach out to more stroke survivors and their families to offer the support that they may need to rebuild their lives. On behalf of the thousands of stroke survivors and their loved ones that we support every year, I just want to say thank you.”

Research from the charity shows that many strokes could be prevented if people made some simple lifestyle changes. Introducing physical activity into your routine is just one aspect of a healthier lifestyle required to reduce your risk of stroke. Monitoring (and managing) your blood pressure, eating a more balanced diet and stopping smoking can all significantly reduce your stroke risk. The money raised through the Resolution Run in London will help the Stroke Association to fund vital research and support people affected by stroke.

Last year participants raised over £633,000 for the Stroke Association This year the charity hopes to raise over £850,000 to continue supporting stroke survivors and their families throughout the UK.

To sponsor Cliff, please visit: www.justgiving.com/clifton-hill-london-resolution-run-2019

Entry fee is just £16. All runners receive a technical running t-shirt and medal. For more information about entering or volunteering at the Resolution Run, visit www.resolutionrun.org.ukemail resolution@stroke.org.uk or call 0300 330 0740.

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For more information, please contact Daisy Dighton on 0207 940 1358 or daisy.dighton@stroke.org.uk

Notes to editors:

(i)Research taken fromPrior PL, Suskin N. Exercise for stroke prevention. Stroke and Vascular Neurology 2018;3: e000155. doi:10.1136/ svn-2018-000155

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