​Walsall woman takes on Resolution Run for the Stroke Association for her father

Jade Prince, 24, from Walsall is taking on the Stroke Association’s Resolution Run on Sunday 25 February, following her father’s stroke three months ago.

Jade’s father, Craig, had been feeling unwell for days, but put it down to being under the weather, and running out of his blood pressure medication. When he visited his GP for more tablets, he couldn’t move his left hand and was sent to hospital for a CT scan.

Jade said: “My dad was told he’d had a mini-stroke and the hospital simply sent him home. The next day he was struggling to walk on his left side, until eventually he couldn’t stand. My mum rang the Stroke Association helpline for advice, who told her to call 999 immediately. An ambulance took my dad to Burton Hospital and we were told he had had a stroke.”

Craig spent four weeks in hospital and is now recovering at King’s Lodge in Derby, where he is undergoing physiotherapy to help with the limited movement in his left arm and leg.

To show her support to her father and raise vital funds for the Stroke Association, Jade will take on the charity’s 15km Resolution Run at Arrow Valley Country Park , Redditch, on Sunday 25 February, alongside her brother James.

Jade added: “Both my brother and I are keen runners, so when I heard about the Stroke Association’s Resolution Run, it felt like the perfect way to show our support for our dad. We’re also planning to take part in a couple of 10km obstacle races in the months after the Resolution Run to raise even more funds for the Stroke Association. We want to help other families affected by stroke to also get the support they need.”

Claire Weaver, Community and Events 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 who want to do something fun together, while getting more active in 2018.

“Every five minutes in the UK, someone’s life is turned upside down by stroke. By signing up to a Resolution Run, each runner will help us do so much more to support stroke survivors and their families as they rebuild their lives. We’re thrilled that Jade and James are taking part. We’re looking forward to cheering them on alongside our other participants as they make their way through the park.”

At least half of strokes could be prevented if people made simple lifestyle changes, such as keeping blood pressure under control, eating healthily and taking regular exercise. The money raised through the Resolution Runs will help the Stroke Association to fund vital research and support people affected by stroke in the West Midlands.

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 http://www.stroke.org.uk/resolution, email resolution@stroke.org.uk or call 0300 330 0740.