I'm taking part in the TCS London Marathon 2026 as part of #TeamStroke
There are over 1.4 million stroke survivors in the UK, with around 100,000 strokes happening every year — that’s one every five minutes.
Life can change in an instant.
My life changed forever on 21st May 2024, shortly after returning from an early evening jog with my daughter. Twelve hours later, after being admitted to hospital, I was told I had suffered a stroke the night before.
For the next three weeks, I was fed through a tube. I had limited mobility, constant dizziness and pain throughout my body. In those early days, I didn’t fully understand what had happened or how deeply the stroke would affect me. All I could focus on was getting better — believing that once I could eat and drink again, everything would return to normal.
It didn’t.
The weeks and months after leaving hospital were some of the hardest of my life. They were filled with fear, anxiety, anger and hopelessness. Even the simplest things became difficult. I went from being active to walking with a stick and becoming breathless after short distances, slowly relearning how to move forward again — physically and mentally.
The stroke didn’t just affect me. It affected my wife, my children, my family, friends and colleagues. I am forever grateful for the love and support they showed me — the messages, calls, visits, walks and quiet moments of company. Some went above and beyond, driving me to countless hospital appointments and rehabilitation sessions. You know who you are 🙏
At first, I needed someone with me just to leave the house. Then I managed short walks to the park on my own. Eventually, I found the courage to return to one of passions; running/parkrun — starting by walking, then walk/jogging, stopping when I needed to.
Step by step, those moments added up. What once felt impossible slowly became achievable: 1km, 2km, 5km, 10km, a half marathon. Every step came with pain — and still does.
Now, just two years on, after facing my darkest days, learning to live with constant pain, and rebuilding myself both physically and mentally, I am in a position to take on the London Marathon again.
This marathon is more than a run — It’s about resilience, recovery, and proving that life after stroke can still hold hope and purpose.
The Stroke Association played a vital role in helping me rebuild my confidence and find my voice again.
Please support them so they can continue helping stroke survivors and their families rebuild their lives — one step at a time.
#everystepmatters
#grateful
Thank you
Andy
My Achievements
Fundraising page set up
Added a profile pic
Made a donation
Shared your page
Hit first milestone
Hit second milestone
Reached 50% of target
Hit final milestone
Reached fundraising target
12 weeks!
Sunday 29th Mar
The past four weeks have flown by since my last update. With 12 weeks of training now behind me and just four weeks remaining until the London Marathon, I wanted to share a few highlights from the past month.
I am so happy to have reached another key milestone by completing 12 weeks of training. Those early dark, cold, and wet mornings were tough, but they have paid off with improved fitness and mobility. I have also had a lot of fun along the way with my Sunday running crew and at track sessions.
Completing 18- and 20-mile runs was important for me—I would never have thought it possible. I guess those early mornings, and long weekend runs really do work.
Good news has finally come into my family—my wife and daughter have both secured jobs, which we celebrated with a few dinners. My son is also doing well down on the coast.
Catching up with friends from Newcastle and Dubai meant I could have some fun outside of training, with numerous parties, zero Guinness (of course!), and wolfing down delicious crispy chicken wings at my local Spoons (don’t knock it until you try 😆).
I also had the joy of hosting my cousin and family, as well as my brother-in-law, during their trips to London. Doing touristy things reminded me that London is a decent place to visit.
Heading into the last month, my goals remain the same: stay healthy and consistent—the rest will take care of itself.
Big shout-out to my wife, my unofficial coach, nutritionist, chauffeur, logistics manager, and part-time physio 😊—quietly working behind the scenes by prepping meals, meeting me at work on those run to work mornings, driving and supporting me in training runs and races😘
A little side note: I recently had the pleasure of starting a 20mile run with a lady named Jenny, who also suffered a major health scare with multiple injuries—some permanent and long-lasting. It took her five years (and is still ongoing) to go from being bedbound and unable to walk to running marathons again. I was truly inspired by her grit, resilience, and determination in her recovery and approach to life. Anything is possible if we put our minds to it. Thank you, Jenny.
Hopefully, next time I will be sharing my marathon completion, medal, and more stories.
Onwards,
Andy
29/03/2026
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Training update
Thursday 26th Feb
Marathon training is going well. I’m now in week 8 of 16 — halfway through — and starting to feel fitter and stronger.
Over the past four weeks, I’ve completed two half marathons and kept up my regular parkrun ritual. I’m settling into the rhythm of run, eat, sleep, repeat. I’m still not quite used to the early morning starts to fit training in before work — or the super-early alarms on race days — but I’m getting there.
For now, it’s all about taking it steady, building strength, and staying consistent.
The goals are simple: complete the training block, make it to the start line in April, and finish the full 26.2 miles — one way or another.
Thank you for all the support, messages and donations, it means a lot!
Andy
Thank you to my sponsors
£150
Joseph Kwok
£106
Ray Tand And Family
Your courage and perseverance are an inspiration to us all - go Andy!!
£106
George Davidson
Andy , you are an inspiration to us all , amazing recovery & effort , wishing you all the best on the big day
£100
Anonymous
Send it Bro!!!
£53.32
Kwok & Family
Go Andy! Good Luck
£53.32
Ryan Leung
Let’s have it Dad
£53.32
Anonymous
Remarkable to see your journey so far and I’m sure you will do great on the day. All the best.
£53.32
Amanda Askham
Andy, it’s been a tough journey for you but you’ve worked so hard to get your strength and resilience back - physical and mental. You’re a real inspiration. I hope you enjoy (?!) the marathon - I know you’ll be brilliant X
£53.32
Bee & Nick
Good luck Andy!
£53.32
Colin Foster
Good luck mate! Nice to see you back racing - I’ve missed the loud shout outs! Looking forward to a beer after
£53.32
Sandeep Sahota
All the best Andy, the physical and mental resilience to get here is so amazing, you should be so proud, we will be cheering you all the way!
£53.32
Chris Brown
You are an inspiration Andy
£52.72
Vincent Cheung
Add oil, add oil!👍
£52.12
Mary Umrigar
Andy, you are a true inspiration! We will be cheering for you on the day! Jimmy & Mary
£50
Tony And Sill
Andy, you’re inspiring, have such a positive attitude, and you just keep climbing! Good luck, standing right beside you! Love Tony, Sill and the family
£50
Ewan Pang
You’re an inspiration to us especially to our little Ewan. All the best Andy and well done Love from Bb Ming and boys
£50
Nick Steel
Andy, you're a hero.
£50
Bruise Knee
Small steps to nearly full recovery. Keep inspiring us with your training journey and across the finishing line!
£50
Mike, Cath & Sara
You’ve been an inspiration to us all in how you’ve battled, fought and recovered from your stroke. Stay healthy, safe and keep smiling mate!
£50
Sai, Kelly And The Kids
Your strength and determination is inspiring. Go smash it and show us how it's done. Great progress made so far on the training. We are all rooting for you.
£50
Kam & Stripey
Good Luck Andy.
£40
Jimmy, Irene, Michael & Serena
Add Oil Andy - you're smashing it already!
£30
Sam Wiggins
Andy you are an inspiration, well done on all your hard work! this cause is extremely close to my heart and what your doing is amazing! keep going for all those that can’t x
£30
Judy $ Mew
I'm so proud of you for running the London Marathon. Add iol Andy💪💪💪
£27.05
Amit Ubhi
Well done Andy, it’s great to have you back. Good luck with the run, you’ll smash it!
£27.05
Tq
Inspirational Andy. Good luck
£27.05
Krish
Good luck - enjoy the run!
£27.05
Breege Leane
Good luck Andy You sure deserve it. What an account of triumph over adversity.
£27.05
Howard Sparks
Legend
£27.05
Bill
What a trooper! Your resilience and determination are inspiring.
£27.05
Robert South
Best wishes on the run, Andy! You're a great inspiration to me and, no doubt, to all those around you!
£27.05
Louise & Philip Prince
Good luck Andy!
£27.05
Jess Wong
Well done with all the training and good luck on the day Andy.
£27.05
Sue Keegan
Your recovery is such an inspirational story Andy. I'll be cheering you on 👍
£27.05
Ayisha Bano
Such an inspiration
£27.05
Julie Fedak
Andy, truly inspirational! Wishing you all the best in your training until you reach the finish line!
£27.05
Paul Sutton
Good luck with the run Andy
£27.05
Wai Chan
£26
Beverley Packwood
Andy you are such an inspiration! It's been wonderful seeing you get stronger and coming back to running. Good luck with the day xx
£25
Linda Carroll
Super Proud of you Andy!!
£25
Jenny
Great job Andy - your resilience, determination and positive energy are a beacon of light. I'm excited about dot-watching you through the London Marathon.
£25
Sarah Harris
We’re with you all the way Andy. You’ll be awesome 🤩
£25
Tracy Hector
Way to go Andy, and what a great cause! They played a part in both of my strokes and have helped so many survivors. Good luck and I know you'll smash it xx
£25
Alison Billinge & Michael
Inspirational.
£25
Maryam Hussain
£25
Chi Wong
Good luck Andy!
£25
Anonymous
C’MON UNCLE ANDYYY!!!!
£25
Johnny Yam
So grateful and thank God to see you recovering well and running again Andy. You have trained consistently and such an inspiration to all of us. Enjoy every moment. Cheers Johnny
£25
Martin Daoud
You've done amazing Andy! Good luck at London Marathon 🙂
£25
Kerry
Andy, you have been through so much, despite all this you are stepping up to do a marathon. You will smash it, you are truly amazing and were my inspiration to get across the line in Manchester. Go, Andy.............................................
£25
Anny
So proud of how far you've come! Smash it Uncle Andy 💪🏽
£22.38
Hitaishi Vaghela
Routing for you Andy! So glad you've recovered xxx
£21.84
Jace
Proud of you LeungA - really well done for getttijg back on with it
£21.84
Anonymous
Hi Andy, What an inspiration, thank you for sharing your story. None of us know what each day will bring us. So happy that you have made a remarkable recovery and continue to recover. Happy to support x
£21.84
Rachel Hearson
Andy I will be cheering for you! You are an inspiration to us all!
£21.84
Pete Flewitt
Andy you are a true inspiration. I have known other people who have suffered from a stroke and I use your experience as a point of reference to show that nothing is impossible and their eyes light hearing that things can change. There is no better worthy person I can think of to do this. Good luck with the continual training. 💚💛
£21.84
Robert Brown
£21.84
Stephen And Caroline Plummer
Good luck Andy, your training is going great.
£21.84
Steve Bourne
£21.84
Lina Panesar
Good luck wishing you all the best for the day
£20
Chloe C
So proud, what an inspiration!!! Good luck Uncle Andy!
£20
Ranjit Matharu
Good luck Andy. All the best 🙂
£20
Pauline Bennett
You are a real inspiration Andy! I'm also glad to support the Stroke Association that have helped my family too. Wishing you all the best for the run - I'll be cheering you on!!
£20
Chris Young
You are a hero, man. Good luck! Will be cheering you on!
£20
Wing Ung
Recovering from a stroke and now running a marathon is incredible. You’re such an inspiration and a true example of resilience and dedication. I’m so proud of you for running the London Marathon. 👏🏻
£16.56
Henal & Family
Good luck Andy! So very proud of you and how far you have come. Love always, the Parmar's x
£16.20
Dave Pether
Good luck All the best Andy
£15
Catherine
Smash it Andy. You're such an inspiration!
£11.33
Rajiv
Well done Andy! You are super!! Keep it up.
£11.33
Emmanuel Anatsui
It's really good to see you back in the fold well again and stronger. Best wishes, EA
£11.33
Rachel Isidore
congratulations on facing this massive challenge with such resilience and running for such a good cause.
£11.33
Sophie
So happy to see you running this again, you're an amazing person Andy, best of luck x
£11.33
Angie Dennison
Go get it Andy you got this.
£11.33
Marinda Schoeman
£11.33
Anna Elliott
Wishing you all the best Andy - amazing!
£11.33
Steve Barrington
Good Luck with the training and have a great race day
£11.33
Gill T
Go for it Andy, you are truly inspiring!
£11.33
Armen Kanikanian
With you all the way, Andy. You’ve got this!
£11.33
Nicola Turner
Good luck Andy
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Dennis Dean
£11.33
Shona C
This is amazing Andy! So inspirational
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Yasmin Khalil
LETS GO UNCLE ANDY!!!!!!!!!!
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Shuet
Add oild uncle Andy! 🫰🏻
£11.33
Lynette Miller
Andy You've achieved so much on your recovery journey. Good luck x Lynette
£11.33
Anastasia Sijuade
£11.33
Shakira Jacobs
Good Luck 👍🏽
£11.33
Tash
Good luck!!
£11.33
Jill Pearce
Good Luck Andy Jill x
£11.33
Saj Imam
Well chi
£11.09
Lynn Wilson
All the best for Sunday Andy and make sure you enjoy that marathon experience again :)
£10
Kim And Andy Price
Your an inspiration Andy. Hope you have a great run.
£10
Mike Franchetti
Smash it, mate!
£10
Harpreet Sandhu
Good luck Andy! You're truly an inspiration and I'm sure you'll make yourself and all of us proud. We'll be cheering you on!
£10
Alaina Dingwall
£10
Vanessa Newman
£10
Rohan Magon
Good luck uncle Andy!
£6.11
Sabrina Joseph
£6.11
Christine Francis
£5
Sarfraz
best of luck
£5
Anonymous
lol i’m first
Add Oil! Good luck and what a great cause to run for!