A WICKWAR grandfather is putting himself through his paces exactly three years since suffering a devastating stroke.

Seventy-year-old Arthur Threlfall-Searson is taking on the Morrison’s Great South Run in Portsmouth on Sunday, October 25 exactly three years after he collapsed at home and was unable to move or speak.

Mr Threlfall-Searson, a former Army warrant officer, started to feel unwell on October 25, 2012 and whilst his wife went to their neighbour’s house for help, he collapsed to floor. She returned home to find her husband on the floor unable to move or speak.

He was taken to Frenchay Hospital where it was confirmed that he had had a stroke.

Mr Threlfall-Searson said: “The Great South Run will be really poignant for me, three years to the day of my stroke.

“If you were to ask me three years ago if I would take on a marathon, I would have said ‘no way.’ But, as far as running is concerned, I actually feel fitter now than when I left the army 30 years ago.”

Whilst recovering, Mr Threlfall-Searson, a member of the Wickwar Wunners running club, took part in stroke research by St George's University. The Vertebral Ischaemic Stent Trial meant he had a stent placed in his vertebral artery to assist his recovery.

Running has also helped rebuild his strength to prepare him for the 10-mile run.

“Running has been a vital part in my recovery,” said the grandfather-of-four. “After my stroke I could only just about walk, I was very unsteady and needed a stick to begin with.

“With a lot of determination, I built up the distance of my walks, and then the pace.

“Taking on the run means that I can give something back to the Stroke Association, a charity that has been there throughout my road to recovery. It’s also a big thank you to my local running club, the Wickwar Wunners, who have encouraged me along the way.

“My training has been going very well. I have tried to get training in three mornings each week, and I have even braved the rain and wind. My target is to run the run in under two hours, but I am hoping to get that down to one hour 45 minutes on the day.”

Lauren Butcher, fundraiser at the Stroke Association, said: “With around 152,000 strokes a year in the UK – that’s around one every three and a half minutes - it is vital that we have people who can raise funds for people affected by stroke.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Arthur for taking on this challenge; the money will go a long way in helping to support people who are living with the effects of stroke, as well as their families and carers.”

For more information about taking part in the run for the Stroke Association email gsr@stroke.org.uk or call 02380 720 431.To sponsor Arthur, visit justgiving.com/Arthur-Threlfall-Searson