A Blackburn athletics group is to run to raise cash for stroke research and care after one of their members survived one,

More than 30 members of the Progression Group and Couch to 5k program in Blackburn will take on the 15 kilometre run in Stanley Park, Blackpool.

They were inspired by member and father of three Chris Jolliffe, 49, who suffered a stroke in August 2017 while enjoying a holiday on the Amalfi Coast with his wife Louise,

Now he is leading the team seeking to raise cash in the Stroke Association’s Resolution Run on Sunday April 14.,

Mr Jolliffe woke up on the last day of the trip struggling to speak.

He said: “I knew something wasn’t right. I went to brush my teeth and the water spilled down my face. I felt really disorientated.”

Mr Jolliffe continued onto the airport, despite feeling really unwell.

After attempting to sleep it off when he arrived home, he dialled 111 in the morning and was in Royal Blackburn Hospital within half an hour, where he was told he’d had a stroke.

Mr Jolliffe said: “The Stroke Association’s Stroke Recovery Service was there for me after my stroke to help,"

Last year participants in The Resolution Run raised £633,000 for the Stroke Association. This year the charity hopes to raise over £850,000 to continue supporting stroke survivors and their families throughout the UK.

Anyone who wishes to donate to the run can do so via the Just Gving page link below: 

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/grouprunprogressionteam?fbclid=IwAR0heMYbLskiWB_HA79_5tyOf7mcfOIt0ZrxSBaeVu4UF56UtNHn7mcyUx8&utm_campaign=pfp-share&utm_content=grouprunprogressionteam&utm_medium=fundraisingpage&utm_source=Facebook&utm_term=eypbxm2pR