Wife of Stroke Survivor Taking on the Edinburgh Half Marathon for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland

A Glasgow woman will run the Edinburgh Half Marathon this year for a cause close to her heart. 

Holly Macdonald-Atterson’s world was “turned upside down” when her husband, Michael, had two strokes at the age of 30. This year she will run the Edinburgh Half Marathon in May to support Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland after Michael’s recovery. 

Doctors discovered Michael had been suffering with endocarditis, a bacterial infection that attacks the inner lining of the heart, for months before the first stroke.   

As he was recovering from the first stroke that he had his second, this time an aneurysm which also required immediate surgery and left him unable to speak or walk properly.  

Thanks to quick intervention, timely treatment and intensive rehabilitation and support from CHSS, Michael was able to make a good recovery.  

Michael was given a thrombectomy, a procedure to remove the blood clot causing his stroke, before he began intensive rehabilitation to get him back on his feet. CHSS then pointed Michael in the direction of one of their young stroke survivors’ groups where he was able to share the challenges he was facing. 

The happy couple were engaged just before Christmas 2023, and the pair tied the knot in Glasgow in June last year.  

Teacher Holly, aged 32, said: “Our lives were turned upside down in March 2023. 

“Just weeks later he would undergo open heart surgery to replace his aortic valve. It goes without saying this was an immensely difficult time for Michael and those close to him. 

“Yet through it all, Michael remained determined to recover. We are so grateful for the incredible progress he has made on his journey, but there were some exceptionally tough moments along the way where he needed support from people who really understood what he’d been through. That’s where Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland stepped in. They helped us to find hope again, and to see that a bright future is possible for stroke survivors. 

“I’m running the 2026 Edinburgh Half Marathon to raise as much money for this fantastic charity that means so much to us both.” 

Michael said: “I can look ahead to a wonderful future with Holly, and I know that the support I got from Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland has helped make that possible.” 

To support Holly’s fundraiser please go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/HOLLY-ATTERSON 

To find out more about fundraising for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland visit www.chss.org.uk/supportus/fundraise-for-us/. 

If you’re living with the effects of a chest, heart or stroke condition or Long Covid and are looking for advice and information, please contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0899. You can also text ADVICE to 66777 or email adviceline@chss.org.uk.