Please support me running the London Marathon for the Stroke Association
On 6 September 2017, just four days after celebrating my daughter’s sixth birthday, my life changed without warning. I was 37 years old, fit, active, and had no sign of being unwell. In the early hours of the morning I woke with severe pain in my calf and a feeling that something wasn’t right - the first indication of what would become a life-threatening stroke.
Later that morning, after collapsing in my kitchen and struggling to stand, my family arranged for me to see my GP. I never made it to that appointment. By the time my sister tried to help me downstairs, I could no longer walk. Within minutes I had lost my ability to move, my speech had gone, my eyelid had dropped, and my left arm no longer worked. She called 999 — a decision that saved my life.
I was rushed to Queen Alexandra Hospital, where scans revealed two blood clots on the left side of my brain. I was given emergency thrombolysis and transferred to Southampton General Hospital for a life-saving thrombectomy.
After hours in surgery, one clot was successfully removed.
When I woke up, I could only say “yes” and “no”.
Simple words felt impossible. As a mum, a communicator, and an independent woman, this was devastating - but it was also the start of my fight back.
Doctors later discovered a 15cm clot in my leg, along with a previously unknown PFO (a hole in my heart), which had allowed the clot to travel to my brain.
My recovery has been driven by determination, patience, and the incredible support network around me.
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I have relearned my speech
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I have adapted to post-stroke fatigue
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I have learned to listen to my body and respect its limits
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I have rebuilt my confidence and independence
Today, my speech is strong in most situations, though fatigue still presents daily challenges. What has never wavered is my gratitude for the professionals who saved my life and my motivation to make this second chance count.
My journey is about more than survival — it’s about:
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Raising awareness that stroke can happen at any age
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Showing what resilience and rehabilitation can achieve
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Inspiring others facing life-changing adversity
Please support me running the London Marathon- it really does mean the world! xxxxx
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
£1.02k
Anonymous
£520
Anonymous
👊
£265
Savience Ltd
So proud of you. A fighter and a dear friend
£106
Deb, Si And G
Extremely proud of you Nat ! Go smash it girl ! Xxx
£106
Steve And The Team At Melford
Wishing you success in your Marathon Natalie! This charity deserves every penny.
£106
Richard Burns
So proud of you Natalie / mum - Lots of love Richard, Oliver, Lexi, Ted and Willow!
£55.42
David Ivins
£53.32
Shedfield Lodge
Amazing cause. Close to your heart. You will smash it. X
£53.32
Donna Bone
Go Nat. We know you’ll absolutely smash this. Best of luck and make sure you enjoy it xx
£53.32
Mike Sanders
Good luck Nat x
£52.12
Marc Van-de-cappelle
Wishing all the best for luck from the VDCs
£50
The Wheelers
Good luck and safe running Natalie! Fabulous way to give back, am sure you'll smash it 👊
£32.23
The Hollands
Good luck Natalie xx
£27.05
Craig Willson
Incredible stuff Natalie, you’ve come so far and done so well so go and smash the marathon which we all know you will! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
£27.05
Karen
Good luck Natalie , ur smash it xx
£27.05
Anonymous
£27.05
Ciara & Iain
Run Nat Run!!!xx
£27.05
Jonny Collacott
What an inspiration - wishing you the very best of luck Natalie 👍
£27.05
Angie
Good luck honey! You’ll smash it! Xxx
£26.45
Jackie Burns
Smash it Natalie
£26.45
Seona
Good luck Nat xx
£21.84
Ollie Palmer
Hi Nat, that’s fantastic that you got in . Hope the training goes well and I’ll be looking out for you amongst 50,000 other runners that day!!! 🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️ Love from Ollie Sophie and family xxxx
£20
Jacqueline & Jim
Good luck Natalie xxx
£15
Linda Shields
Good luck Natalie. No doubt your resilience will get you through.
£11.33
Wiki Daniels
I read about your amazing journey to recovery. Well done for everything you have achieved. And good luck for the marathon x
£11.33
Nicola Frame
Good Luck Nat ❤️
£11.33
Neil Dow
£11.33
Carolyn Foster
You go girl, you’ll smash it!
£11.33
Lydia Foster
Good luck!
£11.33
Abdi Jama
£10
Becky Dodds
£10
Claire
Good Luck xx
£10
Nicholas Lee
£10
Claire Barnard
Go smash it Natalie
£6.11
Sally Westney
Good luckx
You go Girl