A PHYSIOTHERAPIST will take part in a charity run after being inspired by patients he met in hospital.

Ryan Deakin, 27, from Chelmsford, works at Broomfield Hospital and is taking part in the Great Birmingham Run on October 21 to raise money for the Stroke Association.

He decided to run the 13.1mile course for the charity after working with patients in the hospital’s Acute Stroke Unit.

Mr Deakin said: “Working on the acute stroke unit was one of the best experiences of my career so far.

“Despite their disability many stroke survivors are some of the most appreciative and kindest people I’ve worked with.

“They welcomed my help and were really motivated to achieve in a bid to enhance their quality of life.

“Also the work the Stroke Association does is great. I feel it deserves any funding it can get to help maintain the charity and progress medical research in the advancement of stroke management and treatment.”

Each year some 11,000 people in the East of England region suffer a stroke, while 100,000 live with the after affects of having one.

Mr Deakin said: “By running the Great Birmingham Run I hope to push myself both physically and mentally like the way I encourage my patients.”