Anita Mitchell describes herself as a “novice runner” even though she took up the sport as part of a new fitness regime several years ago.

Since then the 30-year-old mother of two has built up her strength and stamina to a point where she has already completed a half-marathon (21kms).

“I didn’t think I could run a long distance until a trainer told me that if I could run 10kms then I could run 21,” Anita says.

And she was thrilled to find that she could.

Anita, who lives in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, has recently committed to running a full marathon – the renowned Paris Marathon in April 2012 – for the National Stroke Foundation.

She aims to raise $12,000 which will go towards funding stroke research, prevention and awareness programs.

Stroke is Australia’s second biggest killer and a leading cause of disability. 1 in 6 people will have a stroke in their lifetime and the National Stroke Foundation works to raise awareness of stroke, advocate for better treatment and more stroke units in hospitals, fund research and provide services and programs to support stroke survivors, families and carers.

She enjoys the challenge of running because, she says, it draws on reserves of patience she did not previously think she had.

“I don’t naturally have a lot of patience – I generally want to get in, get it done and go,” Anita says.

“Marathons take a lot of patience, a lot of concentration on getting through the next kilometre and the next.”

Anita, who is Business Operations Manager at NSF, had no hesitation in raising this money for her new favourite charity.

“And Paris is my favourite city, I can’t imagine running through more beautiful streets.”

For more information on running the Paris Marathon and other NSF challenges, go to Doit4Stroke or call Kim Vernon on (03) 9670 1000.

When Gwen Stretch climbs the vast reaches of Mt Kilimanjaro in June next year she will have achieved a significant milestone in a journey that began for her in May 2010.

Gwen’s beloved sister Amy, then just 25, died after suffering a massive stroke on her way to work on an otherwise unremarkable day in Perth.

While it is unclear what caused Amy’s stroke, Gwen and her family have looked to support a greater understanding of the condition and the fact that it remains the nation’s second biggest cause of death.

“Young people shouldn’t die of anything at all,” Gwen says.

“But especially not stroke.”

Gwen, now 25 - as Amy was when she died - feels a strong urge to get involved in fundraising and support a condition that is little understood and that claimed the life of her big sister.

As part of her commitment, Gwen is taking part in the National Stroke Foundation’s Summit 4 Stroke fundraising challenge.

Gwen is now busy raising funds and training for a trip that will take her to Tanzania in Africa and undertake the trek of a lifetime.

“It’s a great opportunity to get involved in something for me, something for Amy and something for the NSF.

“And I know it may sound strange but I keep thinking that I will get to go right up into the clouds and see her.”

Stroke is Australia’s second biggest killer and a leading cause of disability. 1 in 6 people will have a stroke in their lifetime and the National Stroke Foundation works to raise awareness of stroke, advocate for better treatment and more stroke units in hospitals, fund research and provide services and programs to support stroke survivors, families and carers.

Gwen who is from WA but now lives and works in Sydney, where she is a personal assistant for a mining company, is hoping to draw on corporate as well as personal contacts to support her adventure.

“As hard as it is going to be I’m going to try to do it and do it properly. I do find it difficult being the same age now as Amy was when she died and I want to do something to help stop stroke.”

For more information on the National Stroke Foundation’s Summit4Stroke Kilimanjaro Challenge go to ‘nsf challenges’   or call Kim Vernon on 03) 9670 1000