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I’m taking part in the Great North Run as part of #TeamStroke
Why am I running for Team Stroke? I ask myself that question quite often. Well, it’s for Jon — my cycling partner and one of my closest friends.
Thirteen years ago, Jon was a healthy 45-year-old with an active job. He didn’t smoke or drink to excess, wasn’t overweight, and loved nothing more than playing a round of golf at the weekend — and, of course, cycling!
We used to go out cycling together regularly and thought nothing of undertaking a 50–60-mile bike ride at the weekend. When Jon wasn’t doing that, he spent his time hill walking and socialising with his wife, Kate, and friends.
On 28 March 2013, Jon was rushed to hospital with an unusually high heart rate and was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF). AF can occur in people of all ages and increases the risk of stroke fivefold. In Jon’s case, this is exactly what happened. The AF caused blood to pool in his heart, which then travelled and blocked his brain stem. He was in intensive care for two weeks, and his family were told to expect the worst. However, he’s a stubborn sod and, despite all the odds, he survived.
Unfortunately, the stroke left Jon paralysed from the neck down. He lost his speech, and his only method of communication was blinking his eyes. Within the space of eight hours, his life — and that of his wife Kate, family, and friends — had changed forever. He eventually came home after eight long months, but the stroke left him with quadriplegia, and he remains non-verbal.
Kate supports him daily along with a team of carers, and this is why I’m running the Great North Run to raise money for the Stroke Association.
Jon is a true inspiration, and even if I have to complete this run by crawling, I will do it for you, Jon. LOVE YA xx!
My Achievements
Fundraising page set up
Added a profile pic
Made a donation
Shared your page
Reached 50% of target
Reached fundraising target
I must be mad
Monday 15th Sep Doing this for someone very close to my heart Jon Cusick. He’s a stroke survivor of 13 years. He inspires me everyday and that’s why I’ve joined Kim’s Krew for Stroke Association. ShareThank you to my sponsors
£54.75
Hazel Searcy (kate’s Aunt)
£28
Kate And Jon X
Emma your love and support for us both over the last 13 years means so much and I know you truly mean it when you say you finish it even if you’re on a fours, but we have every faith in you finishing up right and on two feet xx
£28
Abbie O’b
Smash it Em
£28
Jacqui
Go Emma - you’re amazing ! We have one life make it a blast 👊🏾
£22.80
Steve Harper
You’ll smash it Em!
£22.80
Lucy Crisp
Amazing challenge Emma!! Go and smash it! Love Lucy, Aidan, Dawn and Royston xx
£21.84
Hannah Buxton
Well done Emma & team! Go smash it! So proud bunk buddy xx
£17.10
Meg W
The best role model to look up to, you can do it MB - one foot in front of the other 🫶🏻
£16.74
Anonymous
£13
Mia
For Jon: £1 for each year (wish I could give more 😭). We’ve come a long way since doing language speeches at the bottom of his bed 😂 Now we just watch Pedro Pascal films together 😂 For Mom: You can do it MAMAAAAA!! Quasimodo is gonna make a reappearance I expect 😏
£11.55
Sophie Capes
£11.33
Emma Barrie
Go Bazzer!
£10
Rachel And Mike
Good luck, you'll smash it xxx
£10
Becky Winter
Good luck Emma!
£6.18
Amanda Turner
Good luck you will smash it! Wonderful cause xx
Good luck Emma