Loren Dixon was just 25 when she had her stroke. It was the middle of lockdown and Loren and her partner were trying to keep fit and healthy, starting each morning with some exercise. One Monday morning, Loren felt a pain in her neck which she thought she had just pulled during exercising – but things quickly escalated into what she describes as the worst day of her life.

Loren’s partner come to check on her. "I remember him trying to hand me a glass of water and me saying that I needed a minute as I felt like I was going to faint. My world went black and I was unable to move, unable to speak and unable to see."

Loren has no recollection of this time, just that of her partner and mum moving her to the floor.

"The first responder arrived and made all the difference with a tiny drop of medicine (which I believe was thrombolysis) as, after this, my vision started to drop in and out. The paramedics arrived and I was put into the back of an ambulance, where my partner came to say what I believed was our goodbye."

Luckily, Loren received a lifesaving mechanical thrombectomy and, after spending some time in hospital, her story continues. She is so grateful to the "amazing heroes of the Stroke Association and NHS".

Loren wanted to raise awareness around what a stroke is and how it can affect anyone, no matter what their age. Loren also wanted to fundraise for the Stroke Association to say thank you and to support those starting their own road to recovery after a stroke.

Nearly two and a half years later, Loren took on the 2022 TCS London Marathon while raising money for the Stroke Association.

"The emotions of the day were so utterly crazy and more than I ever expected. The highs, the lows, the random tears, the digging deep, the intense pain, the smiles, the internal talks, the cheering, the sense of achievement and the overwhelming feelings are like no other."

Loren went on to raise an incredible £6,000 to help rebuild lives after stroke.

If you’ve secured your own place in the 2023 TCS London Marathon, we would love to welcome you to #TeamStroke. We’ll be here to help you every step of the way in your fundraising and training – our team is bursting with ideas and advice to share with you.

As well as providing fundraising materials and online team training days, we’ll also send you your very own Stroke Association running vest that includes your name so we can cheer you on as you pass our two cheer points. We’ll then be waiting for you at our post-race reception to celebrate with refreshments and a well-deserved massage!

With your help, we can fund more pioneering research which will save lives and help stroke survivors make the best possible recovery. To join #TeamStroke today, click here.