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 local health charity Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke’s (NICHS) Red Dress Fun Run to raise awareness of young stroke as well as vital funds for the charity’s work.
Thomas explains; “I had no health concerns before my stroke. There were no signs or symptoms that something like that might happen. On the morning I had my stroke, my wife had made me a cup of tea, and I went to get it and just hit the floor. I had absolutely no warning of what was coming. Afterwards I found out my blood pressure was sky high, but I didn’t know about that at the time.”
“We didn’t know what had happened to me after I collapsed but we knew it was serious because I couldn’t move my right-hand side. My wife remained very calm and managed to get me into the car and took me to the Mater Hospital, but they then rushed me to the Royal Victoria Hospital. I was trailing my right leg and had lost power in my right arm. I was fortunate that I was able to get thrombolysis which is a clot busting medication. I am one of the lucky ones. My wife was there when I had my stroke and acted fast to get me help. I had scans and thrombolysis in about an hour and a half. Time is of the essence with stroke, and I was fortunate that way.”
Thomas continues; “I still find it hard to believe that I had a stroke as I’ve always been an active person. I’ve completed ten marathons and lots of half marathons. I wasn’t concerned about my health and had no warning signs of anything being wrong. That’s exactly why I’m sharing my story, to raise awareness that stroke can happen to anyone, at any time, at any age.”
“Looking back on things now is a bit easier but it has been a tough time emotionally as well as physically. You think about the ‘what ifs’ and it took me a few months to work through that. Stroke obviously has a physical impact, but there is a huge mental impact that comes with it too. I was only 50, I didn’t expect anything like this to happen to me. There is a lot to process and deal with. But I also want to let other stroke survivors know there is life after stroke. If sharing my story helps give others some hope that would be a great thing.”
Speaking about his recovery journey Thomas says; “When I was discharged from hospital, I had occupational therapy and physiotherapy at home for months. I was also referred to Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke and availed of their Family Support service. The team were really encouraging and gave me lots of very helpful advice and information about living with the impact of stroke.”
“NICHS also advised me to talk to my GP about being referred to the Healthwise scheme so I could go to the gym and work on my recovery. I go to the gym at the Valley Leisure Centre and the staff there have been great, giving me programmes to work on and monitoring me. I’ve found exercising at the gym so helpful to my recovery and I wouldn’t have known about the Healthwise scheme if NICHS hadn’t highlighted it to me.”
He adds; “The public might not realise the work NICHS is doing to help people. My eyes were opened to the range of services the charity provides. I would urge anyone who has a stroke to take all the help they are offered right from the start. I didn’t do that- at first, I thought I could just get on and deal with things. I was saying I was ok but deep down, I did need that help and support offered to me and I should have taken it from the get-go. At the start there is an awful lot to take in but I would urge people not to bury their heads in the sand or shy away from help. NICHS is there to help you make the best recovery possible so please take their help.”
“Fortunately, I have recovered well. I have regained power in my right-hand side, and it only really affects me now if I am extremely tired. I do suffer from fatigue although it is not quite as bad as it used to be thankfully. I get brain fog when I’m tired and I can’t concentrate but exercising and building my fitness levels back up has definitely helped me to control the fatigue. I have also been able to return to work which was my main aim after my stroke.”
“I am an example of how you can recover from stroke. It isn’t easy, it’s hard work. To look at me you would never know I’ve had a stroke. So again, that’s my motivation behind sharing my story to raise awareness and to also give hope to others.”
Thomas’ recovery journey and return to exercise has led to him setting his sights on completing Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke’s upcoming 5K Red Dress Fun Run. “NICHS really helped me after my stroke so that’s why I’m doing the event, to give something back. I have always been a runner, but this will be my first proper event since my stroke. I did a parkrun recently for the first time in over a year. It was tough but I managed it. The running community is very supportive and that really ties in with the Red Dress Fun Run because it’s for everyone and anyone, no matter their age or ability which is great. I’m really looking forward to the day, and it will be a great way to mark how far I’ve come since last year.”
Last year, the Red Dress Fun Run had over 700 people take part, and the charity is once again hoping for a sea of red participants at this year’s event which takes place at Stormont Estate, Belfast, on Sunday 22nd March. Leigh Osborne, Community and Events Fundraising Manager at the charity, is urging the public to sign up to the event saying; “We are so grateful to Thomas for sharing his story, raising awareness of stroke and for supporting the Red Dress Fun Run. People might be surprised to learn that 51% of stroke survivors are under 75 years old and over 42,500 people in Northern Ireland have a stroke or TIA, also known as a mini-stroke, diagnosis. NICHS is here however to help anyone affected by stroke with expert care and support.”
“So please come run, walk or wheel 5K with us at the Red Dress Fun Run. Together we can help rebuild thousands of lives and make a lasting change towards the health of people in Northern Ireland. Everyone is welcome to come along and join in the fun – even the family pooch!”
The 2026 event is being supported once again by the charity’s long term corporate partners, MACE and Musgrave MarketPlace. Diane Anthony from Musgrave says; “MACE and Musgrave MarketPlace are both backing NICHS’s call for people to dress up in red and take part in this year’s event, which is set to be fantastic. Whether you are taking part in memory of someone you have lost to a chest, heart or stroke disease, are celebrating someone who is living with such a condition, or want to help prevent these diseases affecting someone in the future – sign up and join us to support this worthy cause!”
You can sign up to the Red Dress Fun Run at www.nichs.org.uk/RedDressFunRun
