A man who sustained brain damage after suffering a haemorrhage and had to learn how to run, swim and cycle again is to take part Bolton Ironman - before travelling to Nice to take part in another gruelling triathlon.
Marc Clough from Tonge Moor was diagnosed with a brain AVM at birth, which on its own can cause muscle weakness, speaking difficulties and migraines.
Marc worked as a ventilation engineer until March 2014, when he suffered a haemorrhage.
This limited his ability to walk, talk, run, or even work, and resulted in short term memory loss which Marc still struggles with today.
Despite this and with motivation to save his own life, the 50-year-old slowly started to learn how to walk longer, how to run, swim and even cycle.
Now, he has qualified for the Ironman world championship in Nice, in the ‘physically challenged’ category later this year, but first he is taking part in Bolton Ironman.
He said: “It changed everything because I could not do anything I used to do.
“It’s been devastating to think about what I used to do.
“I could not even speak much, but then I started walking, swimming, meeting people and learning how to speak again.”
Marc now suffers memory loss where he struggles to remember simple things that took place recently.
He said: “I’ll forget if I put the grill on, I’ll forget my bags outside, I lose everything, and I’ve been told it’s impossible I’ll get my full memory back.”
But Marc changed his life to inspire himself to take part in the gruelling Ironman championships and will be at the Bolton one too.
He said: “I was an able workman before this, I was fit and when I started putting weight on due to this, I decided I would write my own story for the future.”
Superior Cycles on Tonge Moor Road is supporting Marc by sponsoring him for the Ironman challenges as well as setting up a Just Giving Page so that he can pay for the races in Nice and travel there.
Marc said: “They have been amazing.
“They’ve helped me so much and service my bike for free.
“I go in sometimes and have a brew and a chat, they’re amazing people and I couldn’t be more grateful for what they are doing.
“I also want to tank my friend Melody Dunne because she takes me everywhere and without her, I do not think I’d be able to cope.”
Nice will host the Ironman for the first time in September.
Donate to the Just Giving Page here. (https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/superior-cycles?)
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