We are extremely disappointed that Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) will not now be introduced in the Assembly during this term. The Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, told the Assembly that the policy was supported by his party (the UUP), Sinn Fein, the Alliance Party and SDLP, but he was unable to get support from the Executive to go forward with legislation.

Thomas Gray, from Newtownabbey, had a stroke out of the blue in February last year at the age of just 50. Now, a little over one year later, he is preparing to take on the Red Dress Fun Run to raise awareness of young stroke as well as vital funds for the NICHS's work.

Running the New York City Marathon is a bucket list item for many, but Breda Cunningham and Rosie Mallon can proudly say they completed the famous run in November last year. What made the challenge particularly special was the fact the pair were running in tribute to their mothers, Bridie Dobbin and Pat Connolly, who both sadly passed away after strokes, and in support of NICHS.

24-year-old Erin Houston, from Derry/Londonderry, has Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS), and she is sharing her story of living with the condition as February is Heart Month. She is also supporting NICHS who have been a huge support in Erin learning to live better with PoTS.

Have you heard of Kawasaki disease? The answer is probably not as this is a rare disease affecting around 8 in every 100,000 children under the age of 5 in the UK. It is a serious condition however which is why Lucy McAleese, 22 from Ballymena, is sharing her story of living with Kawasaki disease and taking on our Red Dress Fun Run.