Rob is running the Worcester 10K in memory of his friends
Reading locksmith Rob Staff will take on the Worcester 10K on Sunday, 13 September, raising money for the Stroke Association in memory of two friends whose lives were affected by stroke.
For Rob Staff, crossing the finish line at this year’s Worcester 10K will mean far more than completing another running challenge.
Rob, owner and operator of Assured Locksmiths, will be taking part to raise money for the Stroke Association following the loss of two friends, Mark and Brian.
The cause has taken on particular significance for Rob following the death of his friends.
Mark suffered a massive stroke in April and sadly passed away. His death brought home just how suddenly a stroke can change the lives of an individual, their friends and their family.
Rob will also be remembering his friend Brian as he completes the 10K.
Brian suffered a stroke but survived, experiencing first-hand the impact that a stroke and the recovery that follows can have on someone’s life. He sadly died several years later after suffering a heart attack.
With both friends in his thoughts, Rob decided to use the Worcester 10K as an opportunity to do something positive in their memory while supporting a charity working with people whose lives have been changed by strokes.
Raising Money for the Stroke Association
The money raised by Rob will go to the Stroke Association, the UK’s leading stroke charity.
Around 100,000 people have a stroke in the UK each year, with a stroke occurring approximately every five minutes. There are currently around 1.3 million stroke survivors living in the UK.
The Stroke Association supports stroke survivors and their families throughout their recovery, while also funding scientific research and campaigning for improvements in stroke care and support.
For Rob, those figures now carry a much more personal meaning.
Having seen two friends affected by stroke in very different ways, his run is an opportunity to remember them while helping a charity that supports thousands of other people going through similar experiences.
If you are interested in supporting Rob in his fundraising, donations can be made via his JustGiving page.
Taking on the Worcester 10K
The Worcester City Runs will take place on Sunday, 13 September, with runners taking part in both the 10K and half-marathon through Worcester. The event starts and finishes close to Worcester Racecourse and takes runners through the heart of the city.
For many of those taking part, the event will be about achieving a new personal best or completing a running challenge.
For Rob, the motivation will be waiting beyond the finish time.
Every kilometre will be run with Mark and Brian in mind and with the hope that the money raised can contribute towards the work being done to support people affected by stroke.
It is also an opportunity to raise awareness of just how many families are affected.
A stroke can happen at any age and its effects vary considerably from person to person. Some people make significant recoveries, while others can be left with long-term difficulties affecting movement, speech, communication and everyday independence.
The Stroke Association works with survivors and their families from the early stages following a stroke through recovery and longer-term life after stroke.
Running in Memory of Mark and Brian
As race day approaches, Rob’s focus is on completing the 10K and raising as much awareness and support as he can for the Stroke Association.
What began as a running challenge has become a deeply personal tribute to two friends.
Mark’s sudden death earlier this year and Brian’s experience of surviving a stroke have given Rob a powerful reason to take on the distance.
On 13 September, among the thousands of runners making their way through Worcester, Rob will be running for both of them.
And while the 10 kilometres will eventually come to an end, he hopes the money and awareness raised along the way can help the Stroke Association continue supporting people and families facing the life-changing effects of stroke.
Anyone wishing to learn more about stroke, the support available to survivors and families, or the work being carried out across the UK can visit the Stroke Association website.
