I'm running the London Marathon for the Stroke Association
I didn’t fully understand what a brain haemorrhage was until my dad had one. I'd heard the words before but I couldn't fathom what it truly meant, nor in the least that it might affect someone like my dad. But in the UK, a stroke affects someone every 5 minutes. Its impacts vary wildly, but often it can be fatal or result in lifetime disability.
Before my dad's brain haemorrhage in May, he was an all round fitness legend and he was working in a busy job. His stroke came as a total shock to us all. He was out on a bike ride just like any other weekend morning. But that day, his world, and ours, turned upside down. When I first saw my dad in hospital later that day, he couldn't move or speak. We spent the next 6 weeks by his side, willing and wishing him to get better. Thankfully, he did. Each day, came a glimmer of hope. We all learnt to focus on the little things - a new word or a movement.
A few months down the line, life is different once more. My dad's progress has been phenomenal, but every day he deals with complex residual impacts of his stroke. My mum has been an amazing support to my dad throughout his recovery, and a constant source of strength and encouragement for all of us, but the support of families and friends can only do so much. This is where dedicated organisations such as the Stroke Association can step in to provide specialist support, and maximise recovery outcomes.
So, I have decided to run the London Marathon for the Stroke Association, a charity who fund pioneering, life-changing research for treating stroke. I want to raise money to help survivors and their families navigate life after stroke and for a charity who give hope to so many in what is an inevitably extremely traumatic time.
If you are able to donate/ support in any way you can, it would mean the world to me and my family, and go a long way to supporting an amazing charity, and one very close to our hearts.
The road to recovery is a long, and often very frustrating one, but there is brightness in every day. Thank you to everyone who has been there for my dad and my family over the past couple of months - we wouldn't be where we are without you.
This one is for you, mum and dad - see you on the finish line! xx
Specifically, a donation to the Stroke Association goes towards:
£50 - can help pay for research into new stroke treatments such as thrombolysis, a clot-busting drug that returns the blood supply to the brain that has transformed the outcomes of stroke survivors who have received it.
£500 - could help the Stroke Association develop communication support, so stroke survivors who have difficulty speaking, reading and writing can get the help they need.
£800 - could pay for Stroke Association trained volunteers to introduce My Stroke Guide to stroke clubs and groups across the country for a year.
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
£300
Lisa And Richard
£120
Emma And Andy Spriggs
Well done Isobel, what a great thing to do. Hope the training is going well.
£110
Robert Stradling
£106
Hugo And Gaynor
Sending our very best wishes to you all
£106
John Edward Rudgley
Hi Isabel, hope your training and then your run goes well - it's such an appropriate cause that you are supporting. Very best of luck on the big day, love grandad
£106
James Payen
Good luck Isabel, a very worthy cause.
£104.50
Mary Bray
Great way of raising money for such an important charity! All power to you Isabel!
£104.50
Nigel Richardson
Good luck Isabel. He’ll be proud of you!
£100
The Mowers
£100
Miles Rudgley
So so proud of you!! This money makes such a difference to peoples lives. You’ve got it isabel
£60
Michael, Nigel And Pegi
Well done on your run Isabel - and raising funds for an important charity All the best Michael, Nigel and Pegi
£55.12
Caroline And Brian
Inspiring and challenging undertaking, Isabel. Our very best wishes for the event and to your family. Caroline and Brian
£53
Ann And Bob
Isabel, it's wonderful to see your Dad making such good progress. All power to your elbow (and ankles and knees...) we know you'll make it to the finish. Good luck and best wishes to you all.
£53
Steffie Nightingale
What an amazing thing to do! Your resilience and positivity to everything life has thrown at you has been something else, very proud of the way you've handled all the difficulties of the past year - I think you're amazing and very inspirational! I hope you know I'm always a phone call or a message away whenever you need it. All my love, Sneff xxx
£53
Maria Anderson
Well done for taking the initiative
£53
The Ansell Clan!
Go Isabel … here’s a little something to help along the way as our Ellen did it!! She completed the 1/2 marathon, what a star she even ran an extra lap why not … keep training you’re an inspiration xx
£53
Richard Faber
Go for it!
£53
Andrew Mccoubrey
All best for the run!
£53
Bernard Broughton
£53
David Lashley
Good luck Isabel. Best regards David
£53
Ian & Chris Stewart
£53
Robin Smith
Your dad was my GP throughout his tenure at Thatcham Medical Practice and was always very supportive of both me and my family. I think of him more as a friend than my GP and am so pleased to hear that he is making good progress. On yer bike, Richard! Robin Smith
£53
Philip & Maria Lane
Many thanks to your father who was our family GP for years, from when he started at The Thatcham Medical Practice. He was always very supportive and thorough . We wish him well with his rehabilitation .
£53
Richard Mower
Well done Isabel!
£53
Trevor & Jane
Touching text Isobel - Glad to hear Richard continues his incremental recovery. Good luck with the training and the marathon itself.
£53
Chris Marsh
Best wishes to you and Richard.
£53
Sonja
Well done on completing the marathon! Thank you to your father for his services to the community, we still credit him with saving our second son's life many years ago. Wishing your dad continued improvement with his recovery.
£53
Dr Philip Brooks
Wishing you all the best. Sue, my wife, and I received good care for our various ailments over the years from Dr Rudgley. Best of luck with the marathon and continuing rehabilitation.
£53
Chrissie Rudgley
Best of luck dear Isabel ! We'll be supporting you all the way ❤️
£53
The Ansells
GO GO Go Isabel- the last push now training wise before the big event - we’ll will be with you - well supporting you every step of the way - you’ve got this 🥰
£53
Chris
Best of luck xx
£53
Graham And Maggie
A great cause! Glad to here Richard is recovering well Best wishes to all Graham and Maggie
£52.25
Liora Myers
Well done Isabel for taking on such a challenge and for such a worthy cause! Wishing your dad all the best with his continued recovery and best of luck with your run! With love to your mum and all of you, Liora xx
£52.25
Diane And Chris
Wishing you all the best in your training and the run, and to your dad for his ongoing recovery. Amazing effort by you all x
£52.25
Lizzie
Best of luck- your dad is amazing, I know you’ll do him proud!!
£52.25
Jane Harris
You’re a star Isabel and you’re family will be so proud of you! What happened to your lovely dad was such a terrible shock for all of you and everyone who knows him. But his recovery has been incredible, so much down to his own strength of character and that of your mum and you, Miles and Bethan in being there, encouraging and supporting him. All our love to you all and wishing you the very best for your training and for the marathon itself! Jane and Steve xxx
£51
Jorge & Lav
Vamos Isa! 🏃🏻♀️
£51
Hazel And Simon Ormrod
Amazing thing to do Isabel - good luck from the Ormrods xx
£50.88
Jane Cox
£50
Sarah Brodie
Good luck! Xxx
£50
Bethan India Rudgley
Good Luck Isabel you maniac! We are all so proud of you and will be cheering you on all the way around! Love xxxx
£50
Sarah And Ben Wadsworth
Amazing work Isabel. We continue to miss you Dad at TMP but pleased his recovery continues to progress. Enjoy the run if you can!
£50
Javerya
So so proud!! 💓
£50
Kim Jones
Good Luck Isabel love Kim & Denise x
£50
The Tillyer’s
Good luck Isabel, such a worthy cause and your dad’s recovery shows how important the research is. X
£50
Debbie And John Berry
Good luck Isabel! You have raised the profile of this important charity and we wish you and your family all the best.
£50
Bethan
Fantastic Isabel 🩷 so proud of you, I will be cheering you on every step of the way. All the best xxx
£50
Leia
£50
Maxine Bellman
Lovely words about your dad - his recovery has shown his determination 💗 I’m sure his beautiful family have been his reason to come so far 😊
£42.40
Leonard Whitehead
Leonard and Elizabeth Whitehead, we both know your dad, this is a wonderful cause and make sure you enjoy the day. Good running!
£41.80
Imogen Smith
Good luck! Though I don't think there's much that could happen on the day that'd mean you wouldn't get round! 😂
£37.10
Angie & Andy
Love to you all
£31.80
Dai & Heather
Run well and enjoy it
£31.80
David And Hilary Weller
Good luck Isabel, you are doing a wonderful thing
£31.35
Kay And Rowan
We were thinking of you on Sunday . A wonderful achievement and in aid of such a good cause. Very best wishes to you and your family. Kay and Rowan xx
£31.35
Anonymous
Good luck x
£31
Jane Piper
£30
Beth Madden
Go on Izzy! Xxx
£30
Karen & Phil Laybourne
We know your Mum & Dad Isabel and we’re so shocked about what happened. So glad that Richard is making great strides in his recovery and we applaud you for taking up the challenge of running a marathon!
£27.25
Linda
Good luck Isabel , have fun and enjoy your 1st Marathon , love to all the family !! X
£26.63
Maria Picton
Best of luck Isabel. I know you will make your family proud. Take care of yourself afterwards! Maria
£26.50
Emily Booth
Good luck Isabel!
£26.50
Moira Edwards
I was in school with your dad & heard about your dad & your marathon through the grapevine (aka Siân Ansell). All the best to your dad for his recovery & to you for the run!
£26.50
Ann Ormrod
£26.50
Becky Scott
You’re amazing, I’m so proud of you xxxxxx
£26.50
Sebastian Wells
£26.50
Pauline, Helene And Catherine
£26.50
Sara Waters
£26.50
Pat Hayes
Good luck Isabel, please send our best wishes to your father, from Pat and Les Hayes
£26.50
Alex
£26.50
Liz & John
Good Luck Isabel xx
£26.50
Joan Ansell
£26.50
Elisha Roberts
🏃🏼♀️💙🏃🏼♀️💙🏃🏼♀️💙🏃🏼♀️
£26.50
Arabella Stephenson-witchell
You're amazing Iz ❤️ such an inspiration to us all. We'll all be cheering you on! Go get em! XXX
£26.50
Josh F
<3 <3 <3
£26.50
Suzana Marie
£26.50
Helen Thompson
Good luck!
£26.50
Helen And Andy Miller
Good look and happy running.
£26.50
Richard Fisher
Dr Rudgley was my parent’s doctor for many years and he was always so kind and supportive…. I hope your rehab continues to go well and I wish Isabel all the very best in the marathon.
£26.50
Ellen Xxx
YOUVE GOT THIS!!!!!!!
£26.50
Meg Thomas
Good Luck Isabel, what a great idea this is. I was shocked to read Richard's story and wish him well. He was a great local colleague.
£26.50
Lucas
❤️❤️❤️
£26.50
Vitto
£26.50
Susy & John Canvin
£26.13
Jamie Fisher
Good luck Isabel from the Jay and Janine.Fisher your dad is amazing as he looked after my parents so well over the years and went over and above
£26
Laura Thomas
Woooo go Isabel, you’ll smash it! Think of the lovely pie and pint at the end xxxxxx
£26
Jane And John
Dear Isabel Well done on a great run - and for such a great cause All best wishes Jane and John
£26
Becca Tincey
Good luck Izzy!! Xxx
£26
Tracy Prince
Good for you Isabel. A great cause. I hope the training is going well.
£26
Sylvia Cunmins
I knew your dad , he was my doc and I always think about him
£25.50
Rabia Nasimi
You're amazing Isabel, thanks for all that you do! Wishing you all the best for the marathon.
£25
Luke Clarke
Great cause and a great effort. Good luck on the day Isabel!
£25
Phil Brown
£25
Karen & Paul Townsend
Fantastic cause. Good luck & enjoy the day
£25
Anne Stopher
What a supportive thing to do and a way to make a difference, well done and good luck 😊
£25
Carol Taylor
Good luck
£25
Gordon Piper
This is in recognition of all the Care given by your Father when my mother was suffering her strokes . Also the care extended to my Father since. Good Luck at the Marathon and we wish your Father well in his recovery
£21.80
Sheekeba Nasimi
Good luck Isabel!
£21.20
Suzanne Charlery
So proud of you Isabel, and all you are doing to help support others. Wishing you have a smooth run on the day. Thinking of you and your family and hoping each day is a better one for your Dad.
£21.20
Sue Rowe
Wishing you good luck for the marathon, you have chosen a great cause to run for!
£21.20
Sue Panting
Doctor Rudgley was who we always requested to see at Thatcham Medical Practice, due to the friendly and expert care he provided. We sadly lost a beloved family member last year due to a subdural hematoma and know first hand how heartbreaking the shock of such an incident is. You are doing an amazing thing for bith your loved one and a great charity. We wish you, and your courageous father, the very best of luck on your respective journeys.
£21.20
Carol Collis
Well done Isabel, you wrote a beautiful piece about your Dad, and your Mum xx
£21.20
Jane Marriott
Good luck Isabel!
£21.20
Marie & Howard Fenner
Best of luck Isabel, what a wonderful thing to do. Sending you our best wishes to your mum and dad x
£21.20
Amelia Rogers
So amazing Isabel!!! Good luck! Millie and Fraser xxx
£21.20
Guy Paremain
Good luck and best wishes to your Dad
£21
Aiysha
Best of Luck Isabel♥️♥️
£21
Susan Charlton
Glad to hear your dad, is on the road to recovery, he was always so helpful and reassuring when ever I had a appointment with him, wishing you and your family all the best, this is such a good cause.
£21
Joanne Zarazel
Good luck Isabel!! From Jo Z
£20.90
Alysha Huntley
Good luck for your marathon, your dad and tmp have supported me so much in the 10 years that I have been at tmp. I was young and without the support I wouldn't have gone to do my nursing. So I really appreciate it, hope this helps I'm sorry it couldn't be more.
£20.90
Karen Radbourne
Dear Isabel, Your Dad is an amazing Person, super to work with, fabulous GP and treats everyone with respect- regardless how tired or busy he was. We miss him and so pleased he’s recovering well and functioning more like his pre stroke self. Each running step you take is one less! Sending lots of good strong vibes for those legs of yours! Thank you for wanting to run a marathon! Karen xx
£20.90
Hannah Cash
Well done Isabel! Lots of love Hannah xxx
£20
Molly Littleboy
Best of luck from Jane Harris’s mum
£20
Nichola Bate
Hope all goes well today Isabel - I will be thinking of you. So sorry to hear about your father - and hope he continues to make good progress. Good luck!
£20
Jamie
Best of luck Isabel!
£20
Bridget & Henry
Brilliant cause! Best of luck Isabel. Bridget and Henry Xxx
£20
Maureen
Dear Isabel Congratulations on a great run All the best Maureen
£20
Claire Law
Good luck Isabel. A great cause and fantastic that you are doing this in support of your father. With our best wishes Claire, Diana and Mark Law
£20
Ava Lynch
£20
Kate And Max
Good luck Izzy!
£20
Bethany Madden
Good luck 🥰🥰
£20
Nicky Strong
Fantastic job, Isabel - well done you!!
£15.90
Manny & Cal
So proud of you Isabel! Love Manny and Cal xx
£15.90
Kirstie Bodin
What an incredible thing to do for your dad. Richard is an incredible man. He truly supported me in so many ways when I worked at TMP and guided me and taught me so much that I didn’t realise till I left. cannot wait to hear how well you do. Sending my love to you all x
£15.90
Benjamin Barral
£15.90
Mischa Purnell
£15
Claudia
Go Isabel! So so proud of you. Love you lots, claudi xxx
£15
Aimee Butler
So proud!! Your piece is amazingly written and really encapsulates the scary unknown we were all plunged into. So much respect, I’m sure you’ll smash it!!!❤️
£11
Matthew Butler
Good luck! A great achievement to be working for.
£11
Ellie Darfi
best of luck amazing girl !!! run your socks off love ell xxx
£11
Dylis And Peter Jiggins
£10.90
Eloise & Hugo
Go get em girls!!! I’m sure you will smash it
£10.90
Ann Turner
So pleased to learn Richard is on the way to recovery after such a traumatic experience.
£10.60
Shona Deas
Good luck- great cause
£10.60
Sarah Gray
Good luck with the run! Great cause you are running for. Wishing you and your family all the best Xx
£10.60
Nessie Fisher, Tmp Reception
Well done. This is a very worthy cause and very close to our hearts.
£10.60
Anonymous
Good Luck Isabel!
£10.60
Jodie
£10.60
Anonymous
£10.60
Anonymous
£10.60
Ian & Chris Stewart
Dear Isabel, we were very fortunate that your dad was our GP for many years. As well as being an excellent doctor, he was very kind and always had time to listen. Best wishes for Sunday and to your dad for his continued recovery.
£10.60
Diane Dalgarno
£10.60
Anonymous
£10.60
Arisa Kimaram
£10.60
Vic & Linda Pye
Not everyone looks forward to seeing their doctor Isabel, but your dad was amazing, so kind and empathetic You are also amazing doing this - enjou your day
£10.60
Marie Jacobs
Good luck Isabel. Matt Rowell is running for Leukemia Research in memory of our grandson Jacob whom we sadly lost at the age of 12. You and Matt are the salt of the earth. Wish you all success and all the best to your Dad.
£10.60
Nina Hopkinson
Thank you to Dr Rugeley for the help and support that he gave myself and my family over the years in the surgery. I was so saddened that your dad had a stroke and wish him well for the future,
£10.60
Richard & Tricia Marshall
Well done Isabel. It was a shock to learn about your Dad but we're so pleased that he's made such a great recovery. Richard & Tricia Marshall
£10.60
Gresham Felton
£10.45
Jenni Boyes From Tmp
Good Luck! xx
£10.45
Anonymous
God be with you all the way to the finish line and with your precious Dad and family
£10.45
Lance
£10.45
Anonymous
£10.45
Jitka Králová
You go Isabel!! So proud of you <3
£10
Sinead Voller
Good luck Isabel. It was an honour to work with your dad for the 5 years that I did at TMP. So sorry to hear about his stroke, please pass on my love. He must be very proud of you, what a worthy cause!
£10
James Taylor
👏🏽
£10
Marina Ioannou
Good luck xx
£10
Blanca Yanez Serrano
£10
Jacob L-l
Proud of you! Xx
£10
Rebecca Lewis
£5.30
Anonymous
£5.22
Dear Isabel , We’re very proud you are running the marathon on behalf of the stroke association. Because of Dad’s experience this is a cause close to our hearts. Access to timely support following a stroke is crucial. Enjoy the day 😊 It will be a great moment when you cross the finishing line and we’ll be there to cheer you on 👏. Thank you to everyone that has made a donation to this important cause.