James Sullivan Beswick

I'm taking part in the Great North Run 2026 as part of #TeamStroke

Back in October 2025 my Grandma Kath was taken into Cramlington hospital, it is there where we were told that she’d had a stroke. She stayed in Cramlington for a week, by her bedside daily it was difficult to comprehend what was happening. 

She was moved to Wansbeck Hospital where she remained for around three months. During her time at Wansbeck on the stroke ward, ward nine, I watched people filter through the five beds that surrounded hers. 

It was there, where I sat for hours upon hours after work, on weekends, and on one occasion through the night, that I realised how precious life is. I watched as family’s lives changed forever, including mine, in the blink of an eye - I watched the ripple effect of what a stroke can do. 

I met some phenomenal people, family members staying strong only to crumble when out of eye sight. 

During this time it would have been incredibly easy for me to pick up old habits, my whole world was shattered. I knew at that point I’d never have my Grandma back to how she was before, my best friend. 

So I ran. I ran hard. 

I signed up to the Great North Run for Stroke Association because i knew it would keep me motivated. Running has became my free therapy and I would be lost without it.

My Grandma is a fighter, from end of life care to walking around the care home as if she owns the place. To think we’d never in our wildest imagination believe she’d ever walk again. She celebrated her 90th Birthday in January. 

When I cross that finish line, it isn’t just for my Grandma, it’s also for all the wonderful individuals that I met on Ward 9. 

“Run for those who can no longer.”