Northamptonshire Stroke survivor set to walk London Marathon
A man from Daventry is set to walk the London Marathon 14 years after he nearly died from a severe stroke
Andy Ibbott, from Daventry, was left with some hearing loss and lack of movement on the right side of his body after the stroke, which followed an operation to remove a small lump on his neck.
The operation took a lot longer than planned and left Mr Ibbott in a great deal of pain before suffering the stroke, which left him in hospital for six months.
Mr Ibbott said it had always been an ambition of his to run the London Marathon prior to his stroke, but now wants to walk the famous route in under nine hours.
Speaking ahead of the event Mr Ibbott said: "I've come from 0, not being able to say a word other than yes, no and a swear word, to where I am now which is about 95%.
"Following my stroke I decided that everything I was given as a challenge, I would try and defeat it and even if I couldn't at least I can say I've had a go at it.
"After my operation I was placed in the intensive care unit and said we don't really expect him to last that long, after chatting with my ex-wife about six or seven hours after the operation is when the stroke hit me.
"I've been trying for the London marathon for about 30 years, when I was normal and after the stroke, when Brain Research UK rang me and asked me if I wanted a place I said yes at last!"
Mr Ibbott has already beaten his fundraising target of ÂŁ1000, as he hopes to complete the course this Sunday.
After climbing Everest earlier this year, the London marathon might seem like a drop in the ocean, but if that's not enough Mr Ibbott has already lined up a sky dive this October!