Callum Donachie

I'm taking part in the TCS London Marathon 2027 in memory of my Dad

Nearly ten years ago, I lost my dad to a stroke at a time when he still had so much life ahead of him. Running the London Marathon is my way of honouring his memory and turning that loss into something positive for others facing similar challenges.

In November of 2016, my dad went to the hospital with a severe headache, where he displayed further signs of having a stroke, which the doctors failed to identify. It was later discovered that the severe headache was from a brain bleed, caused by a stroke, which split open his brain stem. This resulted in my father having locked-in syndrome, causing him to be fully paralysed, only able to blink his eyes. After 2 weeks of experiencing locked-in syndrome, he decided that he could not take it anymore and no longer wanted to be on the machines keeping him alive. Three days later, on my mother's birthday, he passed away. The experience highlighted to our family just how devastating and life-changing strokes can be.

This year marks the tenth anniversary since I lost my father. His loss had a profound impact on my family and remains something that stays with me every day. Running this marathon is an opportunity to honour his memory while supporting a cause that helps thousands of individuals and families affected by stroke.

Every day in the UK, another 240 people wake up to the catastrophic impact of a stroke. With strength, determination and the right support, recovery is possible. 

Training for the London Marathon will be a significant challenge, but it is one I am proud to take on in memory of my dad and in support of a charity doing incredible work.

Alongside my London Marathon training, I will also be organising a couple of fundraising events over the coming months to raise as much money as possible for the Stroke Association.

If you or your business would be willing to support these events through raffle prizes, auction items, sponsorship, or any other form of contribution, I would be incredibly grateful. Every donation and every act of support helps us raise more funds for a cause that means so much to me and my family.

Any donation, no matter the size, would be hugely appreciated and will help the Stroke Association continue providing life-changing support to those affected by stroke.

Whether you choose to donate, share this page, attend one of the fundraising events, or support through a raffle prize or sponsorship, every contribution makes a genuine difference.

Thank you for helping me honour my dad's memory while supporting those affected by stroke.