Press release -
Staffordshire resident tackles Great North Run for stroke
After her father had a devastating stroke in 2010, Staffordshire resident Caroline Brown has completely turned her life around to lower her risk of stroke. Taking on over 14 challenges across the year for the Stroke Association, Caroline is now making her final preparations for the Great North Run.
Caroline, 40, is taking on the 13.1 mile challenge on Sunday 7 September in memory of her father James who had a stroke at the age of 74 in 2010. James was in an Acute Stroke Unit for a week, but sadly passed away.
Caroline said: “Stroke had such a big impact on my father’s life, and it affected our whole family. I now want to raise as much as possible for the Stroke Association so they can continue to fight for stroke. I shuffled the Great North Run in 2012 and 2013 raising a combined total of £1,600 for the Stroke Association, but this year I felt I needed to up my game. On my 40th birthday I created a bucket list of 14 challenges to complete in 2014, with all the money raised going to the Stroke Association. My father’s stroke made me look at my own risk factors for stroke, and so I decided to completely turn my lifestyle around. I’ve recently completed three 10K runs, a 5K run, along with a lot of swimming including completing the Great North Swim, all of which has been great preparation for the half marathon. I’d even go as far as saying I’m looking forward to it!”
Claire Benefield, regional fundraising manager at Stroke Association in the West Midlands, said: “There are around 152,000 strokes a year in the UK – that’s one every three and a half minutes. We’re a charity that relies on people like Caroline to raise funds so we can be there for families affected by stroke. We’ll be cheering Caroline on as she makes her way through Newcastle.”
To sponsor Caroline visit www.justgiving.com/caroline-brown141440
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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
