Simon Downie

I'm taking part in the Great North Run 2025 as part of #TeamStroke

I joined #TeamStroke for the Great North Run 2025.

As many of you may know, our Dad, Paul (also known as Dandad), suffered a serious stroke in 2023 and, despite over half a year in hospital and with many ups, downs and bumps in the road, we are pleased to say that he is on his way to making a remarkable recovery. 

Along the road to recovery, we have been supported as a family by many different organisations, notably Goole Neurological Rehab Centre, who signposted us towards the Stroke Association. They have supported both Mum and Dad on this journey and continue to do so. Offering emotional support, advice on ways to adapt their home for this new chapter in their lives and, following his discharge from hospital, providing numerous rehab opportunities for Dad to ensure he can continue in his fantastic recovery.

From knowing very little about strokes and the different prognosis' and outlooks for different patients, to becoming resident experts in the last year, we know first-hand the incredible work that the Stroke Association do in supporting not only stroke patients, but their families too. Anyone who knows us, or Dad, or the wider Downies, will know we are a very practical family. Being left with few ways to help Mum and Dad, outside of offering our emotional support, has left us with an overwhelming need to do something positive. Something positive for Mum and Dad, for us, and for any other families going through something similar to us. With that in mind, we have decided to run the Great North Run together (or at least until we start getting overly competitive and tripping eachother up along the way) and we would love you to sponsor us.