Press release -
Essex resident takes on London Marathon for stroke
Southend-on-Sea resident Jake Inwood is taking on the Virgin Money London Marathon to raise vital funds for the Stroke Association after his Nan Lillian Cox, sadly lost her life last year to stroke whilst home alone.
Jake, 20, who works for the Royal Mail said “My mum called my Nan one evening to make arrangements to see her the next day. When my Nan answered the phone her speech was all slurred and hard to understand. My mum instantly knew something wasn’t right, and called an ambulance straight away. The ambulance took her to the King George Hospital in Goodmayes where she was treated on the stroke ward. Sadly, Nan sadly passed away 6 weeks later.”
“I was just 12 years old at the time, but when it happened I knew I wanted to do more for other families who are faced with this devastating condition. I’m really looking forward to running for the charity - the fundraising is going really well and my training is too! The generosity of everyone who sponsored me has really spurred me on!”
George Burroughs, regional fundraising manager at Stroke Association, said: “There are around 152,000 strokes a year in the UK – that’s one every three and a half minutes. It’s vital that people like Jake are raising funds to ensure we can be there for even more families affected by stroke. We’ll be cheering Jake on as he makes his way through London.”
Lily Heinemann Head of Corporate Responsibility and Community Investment at Royal Mail said, “The Virgin London Marathon is such an iconic event and a fantastic opportunity to raise funds for our Charity of the Year. We’re thrilled to have so many Royal Mail runners just like Jake supporting the Stroke Association and taking on the 26 miles of London streets to help us to raise vital funds in aid of Life after Stroke Grants.
“In the next two years, we want to raise at least £2 million for the Stroke Association, so that we can change the lives of thousands of people affected by stroke.”
To sponsor Jake visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/JakeInwoodMarathon
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A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain. There are around 152,000 strokes in the UK every year and it is the leading cause of severe adult disability. There are over 1.2 million people in the UK living with the effects of stroke.
Stroke Association is a charity. We believe in life after stroke and together we can conquer stroke. We work directly with stroke survivors and their families and carers, with health and social care professionals and with scientists and researchers. We campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best recovery they can. We fund research to develop new treatments and ways of preventing stroke. The Stroke Helpline (0303 303 3100) provides information and support on stroke. More information can be found at www.stroke.org.uk
