I'm taking part in the TCS London Marathon as part of #TeamStroke
I am running the 2025 London marathon in memory of my Grandad Stuart and Janet, the mother of my long term boyfriend Will.
These were two important people in my life who have both sadly passed away, and were affected by Strokes.
My grandad had a stroke in 2012, only 8 years after recovering from a heart attack. The stroke really affected his mental and physical health. The stroke changed him from a completely independent person to someone who was reliant on others.
He was left constantly frustrated with his lack of mobility, and found simple daily tasks a struggle.
He lived with the effects of his stroke for 10 years and over this time I saw how this dramatically impacted the life of my grandmother too. As time went on the support they both needed became almost impossible to manage on their own.
Grandad passed away in December 2022.
Janet was my boyfriends mum and someone who had also become incredibly important in my life too. We regularly stayed at her house and spent quality time together, going for lunches, dinners and watching sports.
In under two weeks my boyfriend had gone from thinking his mum was unwell and needed support and rest, to having one of the most important people in his life taken away with no warning.
Janet was a healthy and active lady who regularly enjoyed golf with friends, watching live sport and spending lots of quality time with her family.
Less than a week before her passing, Janet was taken into hospital. After some tests, doctors discovered that she had suffered a transient ischaemic attach (TIA) however they were confident that with the right treatment and care she would make a full recovery from her hospital bed.
However only a few days later Janet had suffered from a full stroke and was being rushed to Bradford Royal Infirmary for thrombolysis treatment. Despite treatment, Janet suffered from a brain haemorrhage and fell into a coma a matter of hours later.
Janet passed away aged 58 on 21st August 2023.
I will be raising and running in their memory.
Finally I turn 26 this April. 26 years for 26.2 Miles.
A reminder to be thankful for what I have done so far in my life and embrace the challenge that comes my way going forward.
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
Thank you to my sponsors
£520
Paul Buckley
£420
Holly Merle
Cash donations from fund raising event
£200
Jack And Katie
You’ll smash it, Holly!
£106
Yvonne Merle
Well done Holly, so proud of you.
£106
Anne Ayrton
£106
Will Buckley
❤️
£106
Conor Wood
Good luck
£100
Robert Kent
👏🏼 holly !
£100
The “texas” Merles
Such a worthy cause Holly, and didn’t realise how close to you all’s heart this is. Good luck with the training. Smash it! 👊💪❤️ Love The “Texas” Merles
£84.80
Gary And Elaine
Don’t get overtaken by a rhino or a banana.
£53
Jean Merle
£53
Jayne Neaves
A fantastic cause Holly. Best of luck on the day. Xx
£53
Paul Curry
Best of luck with the marathon Holly, and well done with the Tea Party fund raiser
£53
Phil, Michelle, William And Emilia
Good luck
£50
Gary Thomas
£50
Lewis Merle
Good Luck Midget, proud of you for doing this, go smash it! 💪🙌
£50
The Lafbery’s
Very best of luck Holly! Thinking of you & Will, we miss Janet lots. All our love x
£42.40
George Briggs
Good luck Holly, lovely words and such a great cause!
£31.80
Bella Robb
YESS HOLLY beyond proud!
£27.77
Rebecca & Sam (no. 22)
Good luck Holly and amazing work on the cakes today. Save something for the sprint finish.
£27.05
Jennifer Guy
£27.05
Ed Vass
Well done Holly!
£26.50
Paul And Ann Curry
Such a great achievement Holly and a brilliant cause
£26.50
Linda Byrne
You are amazing Holly!
£26.50
Maisie Williams
So proud of you!! Well done Holly xx
£26.50
Lisa Sinfield
Well done Holly. Wishing you all the best. Thank you for the most delicious cakes too. Big hugs . Lisa xxx
£26.50
Millie Oulton
Proud of you!!!! Xx
£26.50
Lesley Godfrey
£26.50
Delphine Kennedy
All the best for your run !
£26.50
Tom Stephens
Go on holly you legend you’re gonna smash it!!!
£26.50
Frances Stone
Best of luck Holly, you’ve got this girlie! X
£26.50
Sally & Greg Temple
Well done Holly, amazing to take the challenge of the marathon on - what a fantastic cause you are raising money for! You will smash it!!
£26.50
Alex Morris
Wishing you all the best Holly! You’ll smash it!
£26.50
Tessa Buckley
❤️ amazing Holly
£26.50
Amanda Hart
This is such a great charity to support Holly. Hope the training goes well. You’ll be brilliant. X
£25
Morgan Drain
Holly, you are an icon, legend and I know you’ll smash this! So proud of you💜
£25
Will Dawkins
£25
Joanne Pover
Well done Holly. Great cause ! Xx
£21.84
Shaun Donohoe
Brilliant work holly
£21.20
Rupert And Rosie Merle
We’ll be waiting by the door with extra licks and tail wagging when you get back
£21.20
Margaret (aldeburgh)
Well done Holly
£21.20
Denise (spring Grove)
£21.20
Nana
For cakes - love Nana
£21.20
Lisa & Carl Hansen
Dear Holly Good Luck on your run for the Stroke Association. Kind regards Lisa & Carl
£21.20
Anne Ayrton
Lovely cake ! Fabulous display, well done.
£21.20
Victoria Hicks
£21.20
Anonymous
£21.20
Peter Mapley
Well done Holly!
£21.20
Josh W
£21.20
Laura & Julie (wood) Xxx
Good luck Holly! What a great charity you’re supporting. Xxx
£21.20
George Acland
Good luck Holly, for a great cause!
£20
Lynn Stone
Good Luck Holly x
£20
Lucy Fish
Best of luck Holly! Go and smash it. Stewart would be so proud of you 💕
£20
Alex Corey
£15.90
Jenny Wincott
All the best Holly. You'll be great x
£12.72
Ivens J
Very best wishes Holy 🤞x
£11.33
Eleanor Brothwood
£10.60
Clare Gilbert
Hi Holly. Your mum shared your link. Great cause ! Amazing to be running the marathon. Hope it all goes well. Clare Gilbert x
£10.60
Edita Hawkins
£10.60
Sharon Lam
£10.60
Hannah Newbould
£10.60
Josie Hicks
£10.60
James Ayrton
£10.60
Alana
£10.60
Christina Taglienti
£10.60
Luke Thompson
£10.60
Jamie Bradley
Best of lucky Holly - all for a great cause x
£10.60
Max Heathcote
Amazing cause, making them proud I’m sure!
£10.60
Margaret Sideras
Well done Holly mum sent link I’m from mums st Mary’s life group xxx
£10.60
Nicolle Ayres
Working with stroke patients for 15 years I have seen the devastating impact! Such a worthwhile charity. You will smash it. The key is to get to the start line injury free and the rest will just happen…☺️
£10.60
Debbie Smith
Well done Holly 😘
£10.60
Liam & Meg
good luck with the race holly, well done on smashing the target xx
£10.60
Linda Wiskin
Great effort! Well done
£10
Susan Miller
Well done Holly 💕 Also a cause close to our Families Heart xxx
£10
Emma Barden
Good luck!! 🍀
£10
Frances Stone
You got this girl! Also 11/10 baker, lovely fundraiser!
£10
Joe Jennings
Well done Holly, smashing it! From Becca and Joe x
£5.30
You’re so wonderful for doing this. Thank you from me and everyone who has been affected. Xx