Sponsor us to run the Brighton Half Marathon!

Having spent the last few years working in the field of post-stroke aphasia research at UCL, Fern has seen how aphasia affects people living with the condition in so many ways. Therapeutic approaches continue to be developed, but not everyone will fully recover their language function, meaning many will struggle with everyday communication chronically. There are over 350,000 people living with aphasia in the UK alone, and the work that Say Aphasia are doing to connect people with similar lived experience to one another is vital for those who may otherwise feel isolated. Say Aphasia is run by people with aphasia, for people with aphasia, meaning they're a group with true insight into what it feels like to live with aphasia. The charity's social groups bring people together in a fun and friendly way. We want to support their work, and raise awareness of aphasia.

After pulling out of planning for a 3-week South American adventure with Em, Fern thought the best way to make it up to her would be to drag her around the baltic Brighton coast for 21km... Fern also decided to rope in one of her oldest friends, Izzy, an officer in the military who has undoubtedly been through worse but we're hoping will bring up the team speed, and one of her newest friends, Lyle, a Yorkshireman who doesn't do anything by halves, other than marathons, apparently. We're hoping to be at least £600 up for Say Aphasia (see Lyle's separate fundraising page for his £150), given that, by the end of it all, Fern may be 3 friends down.

Fern's most excited for: Raising awareness and raising the heart rate
Fern's biggest fear: Getting up early enough to be at the start line for 8am...

Em's most excited for: The atmosphere and people coming together for a great cause
Em's biggest fear: Not making it to the pub beyond the finish line...

Izzy's most excited for: Swapping the military uniform for a fundraising T-shirt
Izzy's biggest fear: An injury scuppering chances of a PB time...

Thank you!
Fern Rodgers