Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Wednesday 22°CThursday 22°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Derry CityHealthNews

Inspirational Clodagh Dunlop walks a virtual marathon five years after massive stroke

written by John July 2, 2020
ShareTweet

Inspirational Clodagh Dunlop does virtual marathon

BRAVE Clodagh Dunlop, who survived a near fatal stroke which left her with locked-in syndrome, has completed a virtual Belfast Marathon.

In her latest incredible achievement the PSNI detective walked 26.2m over 10 days to raise funds for Cancer Focus and the Stroke Association, crossing the finish line on Tuesday night.

During the remarkable physical challenge Clodagh, from Magherafelt, walked through the pain of losing three toenails, completing the distance in 10 hours and 31 minutes.

She also managed to chalk up four miles in one go – the furthest she has walked since her catastrophic stroke five years ago, when doctors warned she would be wheelchair-bound for the rest of her life.

She said: “The four miles was very significant for me because that’s what I used to run every day before my stroke.

“The year I took the stroke my friend and I were signing up to run the New York Marathon for a local cancer charity, so finishing this one feels very special.”

Clodagh suffered a massive brain stem stroke in 2015 and medics warned her family she could die.

When the 41-year-old regained consciousness she was unable to move or speak and communicated with those around her by blinking.

There is no treatment or cure for locked-in syndrome, and it is extremely rare for patients to recover any significant motor functions.

However, Clodagh, who still suffers weakness on her right side, fulfilled her dream of walking out of hospital six months on, and even returned to her detective job in October 2016.

She was prompted to sign up for the virtual Belfast Marathon as she has always wanted to complete one. And she was keen to help local charities at a time when they are in desperate need of public support.

“The entrance fee from the marathon is going towards Cancer Focus and I am also raising money for the Stroke Association,” she told the Belfast Telegraph.

“It’s only when you go through something like I did that you realise how much work these charities do.

“I have a bit of an idea of the difficulties they are experiencing at the moment because they raise a lot of money from the marathon, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to help them.

“At the same time I want to go to America for specialist rehabilitation.

“I wrote my book, Return To Duty, about my experience of locked-in syndrome and I was planning to use the sales to fund the treatment, but all the talks and publicity events that were arranged for the book have been cancelled because of Covid-19.”

Clodagh believes it will be 2022 before she can go to the United States.

She added: “I just have to stay positive, though, and I’m used to life not going according to plan.

“It’s like doing the marathon, I always wanted to run a marathon before my stroke, so I could get upset that I have walked it over 10 days, or I could look at it differently and be pleased that I have been able to finish it.

Clodagh Dunlop with her Life After Stroke Adult Courage Award along with Hollywood actor James Norton

“My gait was affected by stroke, which is how I lost my toenails while doing the marathon, and the pain was awful, but I had to push on through because there are a lot of people out there a lot worse off than me.

“I always say I can’t fear failing at something, so I will always keep working towards running, and I maybe never will, but at the same time I’m never going to give up on my dream.”

Return To Duty is available from Amazon.

Inspirational Clodagh Dunlop walks a virtual marathon five years after massive stroke was last modified: July 6th, 2020 by John

Tags:
Belfast marathonBrave Clodagh Dunlop walks a virtual marathon five years after massive strokeLife After Stroke Adult Courage Awardlocked in syndromemagherafeltPSNI detectivestroke
ShareTweet
John

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

New baby monitor units arrive at Altnagelvin...

15 hours ago

Build a future in construction on fully...

16 hours ago

Durkan: Executive must act now or more...

18 hours ago

Police appeal over theft of Mercedes van

22 hours ago

Man released over stabbing incident in Derry

22 hours ago

TV series to examine Katie Simpson’s death...

22 hours ago

Global talent descends on Derry for the...

23 hours ago

End to programme developed to tackle skills...

23 hours ago

Braidwater Group welcomes £11m funding to unlock...

2 days ago

Portstewart Strand voted best beach in the...

2 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Man charged to court over Derry drugs seizure

    July 6, 2025
  • Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

    July 5, 2025
  • Derry priest faces seven more child sex charges

    July 4, 2025
  • Man charged with possessing indecent images of children

    July 4, 2025
  • Two men in court after £1.2m cannabis find near border

    July 3, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy