For the love of Mick

By Maddy

I am not a runner, but I am doing the Canberra marathon (10Km) in honor of my dad Mick, who was taken by a stroke last year - he was only 46 years old.

Mum found him in the middle of the night, half slumped on the bed. He was unresponsive so we called triple 000 straight away.

The scans showed that he had had a catastrophic stroke which had destroyed the left side of his brain. It was quick and it was lethal. Dad survived for two days hooked up to machines and I was with him when he took his last breath.

Dad was a fun-loving man, he would be up for anything, and loved his family with his whole heart. He was always up for a party, and his words to mum "Want a cuppa fraze” still echoes around the house.

Dad hadn't always made the best choices with eating and exercise, but in the last few he was in the best shape he had ever been, it's tragic that he died when he was his most healthy and happy.

I want to dedicate my run to dad; I want to raise awareness of stroke, raise funds for stroke research and achieve something for myself.

Dad is survived by his loving family, Katie (Mum), Maddy, Brayden, Indi. He is now with his two babies up above, Kai and angel Baby.