Woman to run half marathon nine years after stroke

A woman who had a stroke nine years ago is running a London half marathon for charity.

Vicki Hewlett, 29, is taking on the London Landmarks Half Marathon with her best friend Sarah Buddery, 29, who are both from Guernsey.

Ms Hewlett was living in Essex when she had the stroke which left her temporarily paralysed on her left side.

The pair are raising money for the Stroke Association.

Ms Hewlett said: "I've managed to push myself to say, 'I will ride horses again, I will go running, I will do these things that I want to do'.

"A bit of self-determination and age was on my side.

"I was really lucky to have good support and medical help around me."

Ms Buddery, who's been friends with Ms Hewlett since school days, had signed up to run the London Landmarks Half Marathon in 2019, but had to withdraw when her mum became ill.

She later passed away and the day of the half marathon, 6 April, marks six years since she died.

"It's quite a full circle for me to be coming back to do it," she said.

"It's not quite a celebration, but it'll be special, and it's nice to be doing something really positive."

Ms Hewlett said "we've really pushed each other. Without her [Ms Buddery], I wouldn't even have attempted this".

Ms Buddery said: "We've experienced a lot of life together.

"It's a relief to be together through different stages of it, and we'll always be there for each other."

The 13.1-mile (21km) course takes in sightseer favourites including Big Ben, St Paul's Cathedral and Trafalgar Square.

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