I’m running the 2027 TCS London Marathon for the Stroke Association 💜#TeamStroke
In February 2026, our lives changed in an instant. My partner, Lee, suffered a stroke.
He was young, healthy and active. someone we never imagined would be affected by a stroke. In a matter of hours, everything we knew changed.
Lee was rushed between multiple hospitals before being transferred to London for life-saving surgery. Doctors discovered that he had ruptured a carotid artery after an extremely forceful coughing episode, which caused his stroke. Three stents were inserted into his neck to save his life.
We didn’t know what the future would hold. We didn’t know if he’d survive, if he’d ever walk again, speak again, or be the person we knew.
Watching the person you love lying in a hospital bed, unable to move the right side of their body or communicate, is a feeling I can’t put into words. It was heartbreaking.
But if there’s one thing I want people to know about Lee, it’s that he never gave up.
Every movement he regained, every word he spoke, and every milestone he reached came through determination, courage and relentless hard work. His recovery continues every single day, and I couldn’t be prouder of him.
During his recovery, the Stroke Association reached out to us and offered their support and services. At a time when everything felt uncertain and overwhelming, knowing there was help available made such a difference to us as a family.
That’s why I’m running the 2027 TCS London Marathon.
I’ve never taken on anything like this before, but every training run will remind me why I’m doing it. Every mile will be for Lee, for our family, and for the thousands of other families whose lives are changed by stroke without warning.
If our story encourages just one person to learn the signs of stroke, support someone going through recovery, or donate to this incredible charity, then sharing it will have been worthwhile.
Every donation, no matter how big or small, will help the Stroke Association continue providing life-changing support to stroke survivors and their families, while funding vital research to improve outcomes for future generations.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking the time to read our story and for supporting me on this journey.
Together, we can help ensure that no family faces stroke alone.
With love, Nicole 💜
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
£270
Duncan Mcleod
£160.73
Tracy Higgins
You are amazing Nicole. Xxx
£150
Lee Gadsby
You’ve got this babe, love you x
£109.25
Adam Jenkins
Good luck ..... you will smash the marathon, youve already been through one this year !
£109.25
Dad, Mum, Josh & Jessie Higgins
What an amazing cause. You will do amazing. Xxx
£106.85
Mash, Sophie & Kheana
So proud of you ❤️ you’ll absolutely smash it 🏃♀️
£106.85
Sam, Ian And Buddy Xxx
We are so very proud of you Nicole! An amazing cause you will crush this marathon!! Xxx
£55.88
Susan Fairless
£55.88
Jake Cooper
You’ve got this 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
£55.88
Carl, Kirsty, Cody, Mila
We’re all behind you, light work auntie Nicole!
£55.88
Rob Kelly
£55.88
Joshua Blackmun
Go smash it, we all know you will
£50
Claire Cooper
So amazingly proud of you both. We will be there cheering you on ❤️ love Claire and Paul
£50
Peter Molloy
Good luck!
£28.44
Leigh Wallis
You are a star!!
£28.44
Nikki Hawley
Well done Nicole. Lee Lee means the absolute world to me. Couldn't be more prouder of you all🥰
£28.44
Peter Gowing Senior
Donated mate good luck Nicole
£28.44
Rachel Bower
Nicole, You are amazing, good luck with the training! Rachel
£28.44
Peter Gowing
How amazing!! Good luck Nicole!!! X
£23.45
Gill Mitchell
Good luck Nicole!
£20
Roxanne
Amazing Nicole you've got this 💪 so proud of you all
£20
Anonymous
What a lovely thing to do ❤️
£12.25
Gemma Griggs
Go smash it ❤️
£12.25
Grace Cooper
You’ve got this 🩷
£12.25
Jo Chappell
£12.25
James Drury
£12.25
Craig And Joanne C
£12.25
Tom L
£12.25
Hayley Kelly
You go girl !! Really proud of you xx
£12.25
Linda Bowker
Well done x
£12.25
Pauline
£12.25
Laura C
Such an amazing thing to do, good luck you’ve totally got this!
£10
Rebecca Mogridge
You’ve got this!!
£10
Anonymous
£10
Samantha Parkin
You’ve got this Nicole! 👍
£10
Lauren Best
Good luck you will smash it can’t wait to join you in training runs ! You have got this 🙌
£6.56
Sarah Ablett
Good luck x
Good luck x