I'm taking part in the Royal Parks Half Marathon as part of #TeamStroke
I joined #TeamStroke for the Royal Parks Half Marathon 2025. There are over 1.3 million stroke survivors in the UK, with 100,000 strokes happening in the UK each year. That's one stroke every five minutes.
My Dad has always been fit, healthy, and only recently turned 60! Yet out of nowhere on a random Wednesday in August 2023 my Dad suffered from a stroke. He had blood clots in his heart and his brain. Without a doubt, the scariest day of my life. I drove for 8 hours to get to him, whilst receiving the dreaded phone calls to ask for consent to life saving surgery. Thankfully, due to the hospitals quick actions, they were able to save my Dad’s life that day, and I finally got to the hospital to see him sat in bed eating apple crumble.
We found out my Dad suffers from Atrial Fibrillation, which is where the heart beats irregularly. It has been a recovery full of ups and downs, but I am so thankful to still have my Dad with me today. I want to raise awareness, as this truly shows a stroke can happen to anyone.
Running this half marathon means so much more than just crossing the line; it is about strength, companionship, family, resilience and support.
My Dad does not know I’m running this, he will find out as a surprise on the day, which hopefully will make the event even more special!
When I started training for the half marathon I had not gone out running properly in about 10 years. I couldn’t even manage 5km. Since April I’ve been consistent and stuck to my training plan, with my current longest run being 18km! Slowly but surely I’ve upped my speed and endurance, taking off over two minutes per KM on longer runs, and shaving off over 10 minutes from my first 5km time. I’ve also lost over 3.5 stone (24kg) in the process. This has been a journey of my own towards getting fitter and healthier. Ruby has also enjoyed coming along for runs too (see photo)!
Donating in support of this half marathon would mean the world, both to me and my family (when they find out!), so that the Stroke Association can continue life saving research and provide critical support in recovery.
See you once I cross the finish line!!!
My Achievements
Fundraising page set up
Added a profile pic
Made a donation
Shared your page
Reached 50% of target
Reached fundraising target
I DID IT!!! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!
Monday 13th Oct
Thank you to my sponsors
£100
Richard/louise Coates
£100
Thomas L
Go Daphne! Amazing effort!
£66
Katie Tuffin
Donations from Katie's wonderful bake sale for the Stroke Association. This one is for all the amazing Dads who have had a stroke! 🤍🤍🤍
£53.32
Daphne
£50
Sharif
£32.23
Natasha Ravenscroft
What an incredible human you are! Just think of the massive hug Rubes is going to give you at the end 🥰🫶🏻💪🏼 🏃♀️
£31.51
Lisa Morgan
Go Daphne! An amazing cause and what a great personal achievement
£27.05
Nikki Elizabeth Cattrell
Great cause and well done on the training!
£27.05
Anonymous
£27.05
Jos
Good luck!!!! Fantastic cause
£27.05
Vanessa
You’re gonna smash it!!! So proud of you ❤️
£27.05
Ade Relfe
Good luck Daphne. We are all proud of you xx
£27.05
David Gibbs
£27.05
Clau
Go Daphneeee 🥰🥰🥰
£27.05
Marie Lavin
Go Daphne, run, run, run …close to my heart as I had a mini stroke when I was 32 and the support was limited on the NHS - good luck x
£27.05
Celeste Kettler
You will Rock CDO!
£27.05
Alistair
Great effort Daphne for a hugely important cause that is clearly so very close to home.
£25
Ross Tuffin
Good luck Daphne!
£25
Mike Robinson
Great work Daphne. You've got this!
£25
Lydia
Good luck Daphne!!!
£25
Debbie Cartledge
Go Daphne, you rock 🤘 😘😘
£25
Michael Kelly
£21.84
Sam
Good Luck!!!
£21.84
Holly Fletcher
I am so super proud of you beyond belief! You have worked so hard for this and I'm in complete awe of you. This run I know is extra special to you and your family. You have this and I can't wait for your family to see you - they are going to be so proud. Best of luck my girl! Love you lots!!!
£20
Shayan
CONGRATULATIONS SUPERSTAR
£20
Mary Akinbode
Good Luck Daphne!! ❤️
£20
Paula Lobeck
We are proud of you!
£20
Isaac Himsworth
Go on Daphne - smash it ❤️
£20
Janie Linsdale
Well done Daphne for all your effort so far and good luck tomorrow! Your Mum and Dad are so very proud of you xx
£20
Liza
So proud of you, you got this! ❤️
£20
Monika Robeva
Proud of you 🌷
£20
Priya Murthi
So proud of you, Daphne! You have got this!
£16.56
Ollie Redington
£15
The Bolton Family
Go Daphne, go!!🤗❤️ Sending you love and support for the big day tomorrow. Wishing you the best of luck, we know you’ll crush it! Xxx
£15
Utku
You are a great person Daphne , good luck in marathon and your cause
£11.33
Holly Shawyer
Goooo Daphne, best of luck. Get the tunes on and you'll be fine
£11.33
Joanna Hills
Good luck Daphne, not that you need it love Joanna Hills
£11.33
Mary And Steve Howes
Well done Daphne. A great cause. Xx
£11.33
Sandra Standen
Fantastic cause. Go smash it Daphne
£11.33
Joao Pedro Stakonski
Best of luck!!
£11.33
Steve U
Well done Daphne, have a great run xx
£10
Michelle Fox
Amazing, well done Daphne ! Your dad is a lovely man. I miss your parents at our HR’s club 🖤 💚 but love seeing the wonderful life they are living. Good luck for tomorrow- if your anything like your dad you will smash it x
£10
Tam Ravenscroft
You’ve got this🫶🏼 Mental distance!!! GO GO GO Love Tam, Dan, Ed, Bert & Pol 🐾
£10
Holly Crosby
Go on dapper dapper ding dong. So proud of you! Absolutely crushing the training and your Dad will be so proud. Love you always, Crozzers xxxx
£7.23
Jas
Incredible thing to do!
£6.11
Charlie Ravenscroft
£5
Emma Pb
Great cause - good luck Daphne xx
We are so proud of you. Go smash it. Amazing stuff. ❤️❤️