Laura’s first marathon
On May 8th, my dad suffered a severe stroke. He was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery, and his independence, cognition and mobility were compromised overnight.
He’s still the same man at his core. He loves listening to barbershop tunes, and I’ll often catch him harmonising with his Spotify playlist. His cheeky (read: daft) sense of humour has proven incredibly resilient, and he can chat for eons about his beloved orange motorbike to anyone willing to listen. However, he is now navigating a minefield of new challenges, and things that once wouldn’t have merited a second thought - recalling events from earlier in the day, sitting without pain and achieving even the tiniest of movements on his left side - are now celebrated as small victories.
I am endlessly grateful to the universe, god and my lucky stars that my dad was one of the 85,000 people that survive a stroke each year. However, survival is only half the battle and his journey to full recovery will be complex and unpredictable.
I’ve chosen to run my first marathon for Stroke Association, an organisation that supports people in rebuilding their lives post-stroke. Money raised allows them to connect those affected with the care and support they need and fund research into preventative and rehabilitative treatments.
Since my dad’s stroke, I’ve seen how quickly life can be split into a ‘before’ and an ‘after’. No matter how small, your gift helps make navigating the ‘after’ a little more manageable for people like my dad.
Thank you for your generosity x
My Achievements
Fundraising page set up
Made a donation
Updated profile pic
Shared page
Thanked a donor
Received 10 donations
Hit 50% of target
Reach distance goal
Reached fundraising target
Thank you to my sponsors
£82.40
Jean And Duncan Rotherham
£61.19
Lai Toh
Wishing Chris a speedy recovery. I hope he gets stronger day by day, and may you and your family soon find your way back to a happy and normal life. ❤️
£55.88
Alison And John Lovell
Wishing you lots of luck Laura! Great achievement and your Dad will be very proud. Lots of love Alison and John xx
£55.88
Astrid Flores
Get well soon Chris!
£55.88
Gareth
Very best of luck Laura. Well done for doing this. Gareth x
£55.88
Steve & Sarah
Best wishes for your big effort!😀 Thank you, Laura.xx
£55.88
Daniella Earsy
£55.88
Anonymous
£55.88
Gabby
£55.88
Catherine Steele
Good luck Laura - a great cause x
£55.88
Ma Cecilia Cue
£55.88
David & Donna
We know you’re going to smash it Laura. Well done!
£55.88
Hil Tutcher
Good luck sweetheart love from your noisiest supporter! xxx
£54.68
Gareth Davies
Very best of luck with this challenge Laura. 👍
£52.44
David And Laura
Well done Laura!
£50
Anne And Miles
We admire the challenge you are undertaking for such a great cause. Your Dad will be very proud of you. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Aunty Anne and Uncle Miles. Xxxx
£50
Evie Higton
Go sissy! So proud of you xxxx
£50
Dave & Nicola Elder
Best of luck Laura xxx
£50
Ruth Murley
Many congratulations Laura. Rather you than me. Love Auntie Ruth
£50
Natasha Maddison
What a powerful cause Laura - you will smash this marathon. Your dad will be so proud. Go girl! xx
£50
Dave And Jo
£50
Simon
£50
Liz & Mike Southern
What a lovely message Laura, I'm sure you'll smash the marathon. Much love, Mike and Liz x
£40
Will & Katie X
£35
Rita And Jordan
So proud of you!
£33.83
Bea Petty
£33.11
Ian Rotherham
Happy running!
£30
Laura
Good luck future me!
£28.44
Leah Linnane-boyd
Best of luck Laura, you will smash it!
£28.44
Robert Butcher
You are a total inspiration Laura, what an amazing thing to do 🦸♀️! We’re all with you cheering you on 🙌
£28.44
Courtney & Giff
Sending big hugs! We’re thinking of you and your Dad during his recovery. You’re going to crush it in your first marathon!
£28.44
Maria Karunungan
Friend of Cecilia Cue
£28.44
James Walker
£28.44
Harry Mcbride
£28.44
Jacky And Louis
£25
Lou & Dave
An amazing challenge to take on to raise money for such a worthy charity, your dad will be so proud of you. Sending lots of love and virtual support to you, Lou & Dave
£25
Tom & Alec
£25
Richelle & Matt Xx
Go Laura Go!! You’ve got this we’re so proud of you xx
£25
Heather Rotherham
Good luck!
£25
Andrew Lynn
Don't forget you can always walk!
£25
Emily W
You'll smash it! So proud of you and for a wonderful cause
£25
Robbie Millar
Absolutely smashing it Laura! Great work 💪🏻 Robbie and Steph 😃
£25
Lena Werneke
❤️
£25
Sue & Andy
Good luck Laura xx
£25
Luca
Good luck Laura! 🏃🏽♀️
£23.45
Ellie Bowen
So proud 🩷
£23.45
Anonymous
£23.45
Amna Khawaja
💛
£20
Justine Seaney
Get well soon Chris!! 🫶🏻🫶🏻
£20
Lizzie Offredi
Such a wonderful cause Laura, and you're going to absolutely ace the marathon - best of luck for the training! Will be thinking of you on the day and cheering you on every step of the way!
£20
Ellie Corkill
So proud of you, you’re gonna smash it❤️
£20
Ben Boyd
Go Laura!
£20
Lucy Higton
You’re amazing 💗
£20
Tina And Paul
Good luck Laura!
£20
Katie Cowan
Good luck, I'm sure you'll smash it! xxx
£17.89
Christina Neal
Keep going Laura, your Dad will be SO proud! Xx
£15
Isabel Simpson
£15
Heather Christie
£15
Diane Bond
£15
Tina Bonny
All the very best, Laura. That's quite the challenge!
£12.25
Victoria Tutcher
So sorry to hear about your dad. I hope you and Evie are ok! Good luck in the marathon. You’ll be amazing! x
£12.25
Ned Minett
£12.25
Carlos Chivardi
Qué causa tan noble! Mucho éxito en el maratón, estoy seguro que lo harás increíble.
£12.25
Beatrice Hill
£12.25
Hannah Bk 🩷
£12.25
Danielle Hayes
So proud of you Laura! You'll smash it!
£12.01
Deborah Myers
Well done for supporting this excellent cause.
£10
Sofia
£10
Hannah Lebon
This is amazing Laura, the best of luck on the day!
£10
Anonymous
£10
Liv Lovell
£10
Luis And Kimmy
Smash it Laura! ❤️
£10
George Allison
Laura - wishing you every success not that you need it. If you run with the same light you bring to the Kings Trust you're half way there. Congratulations in advance for all the running - do us proud!
£10
Anonymous
£10
Tess Bonny
Good luck Laura, you’ll do brilliantly 💗
£10
Alex Conway
Best of luck with the marathon Laura! Enjoy it! You're doing it for a great cause too. Best wishes, Alex
£10
Anne Idareta
❤️
£6.56
Clara Marks
Well done Laura!
£6.56
Jodie
Good luck you superwoman!! X
£6.56
Aiko
Well done Laura! What an achievement x
£5
Rosie Hicks
Good luck Laura! Xx
£5
Hannah Voyez
Go Laura!!
A heartfelt choice of charity. Well done for exceeding your total. Proud of you. You’ll do brilliantly having trained so hard. Look forward to cheering you on.