Brother and sister to get their running shoes on to raise funds for stroke care

Pair to tackle Resolution Run after dad struck down by illness

A Dundee brother and sister are helping to raise funds for stroke care after the pair almost lost their beloved dad to the “horrible” illness.

Debbie and Ricky Hamilton will take part in next month’s Resolution Run in aid of the Stroke Association at Camperdown Park.

Their dad was struck down by a stroke in September last year at the age of 72, leaving him in a wheelchair and unable to use his arm.

Debbie, 44, said: “It broke our hearts to watch how it has left him in a wheelchair partially paralysed and to watch how hard his recovery has been.

“My brother and myself are running to raise funds to help our dad and others fight back.”

She added: “A stroke is a horrible thing and the devastating impact of it has been fierce. I want to raise awareness and help the charity support others who have had a stroke.”

There are 1.2 million stroke survivors in the UK living with devastating, wide-ranging disabilities such as speech difficulties, memory loss and mental health issues.

The Stroke Association provides specialist support, funds research and campaigns to make sure people affected by stroke get the very best care and support to rebuild their lives.

Kirsty Scott, fundraising manager at the Stroke Association in Scotland, said: “Stroke recovery is a marathon not a sprint and each recovery is as individual as each survivor.”

The Resolution Run will take place on March 8 at 10.30am.

Together, Debbie and Ricky have raised more than £1,000 so far.

Entry fee is £15 and runners can choose to tackle 5k or 10k.

To sign up, visit resolutionrun.org.uk, email resolution@stroke.org.uk or call 0300 3300740.

Picture: Kim Cessford. Debbie Hamilton with parents Alan and Maureen and brother Ricky.