Daughter will step into Dad’s running shoes for charity after he lost his life to a sudden stroke

Daughter will step into Dad’s running shoes for charity after he lost his life to a sudden stroke

Isobel Hall, 25, from Leicester is taking on the Stroke Association’s Stride for Stroke challenge as she aims to walk 10,000 steps a day for 130 days.

Isobel, will walk 1.3 million steps, which is one step for every stroke survivor in the UK, while also taking on the London Marathon later this year. Isobel will take her Dad, Stuart’s place in the events, as a tribute to him following his sudden death from an Ischemic stroke last August at the age of just 56.

Isobel said: “Dad’s stroke was all so quick and came out of nowhere. It was a devastating shock to all that knew him that someone still in the prime of their life could be taken from us so soon and so quickly.”

Stuart was six weeks away from taking part in the marathon himself and was a keen member of the Desford Striders Running Club. The club have been a huge support to the family, holding fundraising events in tribute to Stuart and even creating an award for members in his name. The club have also chosen to support the Stroke Association as one of their chosen charities for the year.

It was also members of the club that suggested that Isobel take on the marathon this year.

“Everyone at the club has been amazing and so supportive to our family. When I was asked if I wanted to take his marathon place I didn’t even consider it – it was too raw and I was too upset.

“I have felt so conflicted about taking this on because, although I want to do it for my Dad, actually he just wanted to do it himself! I thought about it for a long time and then one day I just said, ‘no, I can do this’.”

Isobel hopes that by taking part she can also help raise awareness of the devastating impact of stroke.

Isobel added: “Although my experience with stroke was short-lived, the devastating impact of it certainly isn’t. When you read about stroke you learn that it wasn’t until around 20 years ago that we started to take it more seriously. That it’s not just something that happens to older people and that there is something we can do about it.

“The Stroke Association work to support those affected by stroke. I am an all-or-nothing kind of girl, so going couch to marathon would seem about right! Alongside this, I will be doing the Stride for Stroke challenge to do 10,000 steps a day over 130 days.

“I want to continue to try and be happy because I know that’s what my Dad would want. I really don’t care where I finish, I just know I’m crossing that finish line – it’s happening!”

Lucy Burnip, Relationship Fundraising Manager at the Stroke Association, said: We’re so pleased to see that Isobel is doing something amazing and walking 1.3 million steps - that’s one step for every stroke survivor, over the next 130 days while also taking on the marathon.

“Whether you take on this challenge as a stroke survivor, in memory of a loved one, in support of someone affected by stroke or you just want to help raise crucial funds to rebuild lives after stroke - we are so incredibly grateful.

“Stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK and it changes lives in an instant.

However, with the support of people like Isobel we can help more stroke survivors and their families to rebuild their lives.”

If you’re looking to stay active in 2022, why not take on the Stride for Stroke challenge? Sign up today at www.stroke.org.uk/stride

To sponsor Isobel please visit her Just Giving page –www.justgiving.com/fundraising/isobel-striding-for-stroke

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For more information contact Ken Scott, PR Officer at ken.scott@stroke.org.uk or 0115 7788429