A YOUNG woman is taking on a run to raise awareness of strokes after one left her mum wheelchair bound.

Hanna Coles, 25, from Ferndown, has signed up to the Stroke Association’s Resolution Run on Sunday, March 19 at Moors Valley Country Park in Ringwood.

She is taking inspiration from her mum, Karen Groombridge, who had a stroke in 2008 aged 52.

Hanna said: “My mum’s stroke was completely out of the blue. It was such a shock to us all and left the family devastated.

"Since having a stroke, mum can’t use the left side of her body, and uses a wheelchair."

She said that although it knocked her mum's confidence initially, Karen now volunteers for the Stroke Association to help others, and has also just completed an Open University course in Business Management.

Hanna added: "Taking on the run is a huge challenge as I’ve never done anything like this before. I managed to convince my friend Joanna to take part, and surprisingly I’m really enjoying training. I just want to finish the race and make my family proud of me."

Jayne Hughes, fundraising manager at the Stroke Association, said: “There are around 1.2 million people in the UK today living with the impact of stroke, so it’s vital that we have people like Hanna and Joanna who can raise funds for people affected by stroke.

"We can’t wait to cheer them on as they cross the finish line."

Jayne went on to say that at least half of strokes could be prevented if people made simple lifestyle changes, such as keeping their blood pressure under control and exercising more.

The money raised through the Resolution Run will help the Stroke Association to fund vital research and help support people affected by stroke in the south west.

Admission is £15 per person, which includes a technical running t-shirt and medal.

For more information, go to Stroke.org.uk/resolution, email resolution@stroke.org.uk or call 0300 330 0740.