Cramlington dad Mark shares his experience of stroke to encourage others to get their health checks

March 16, 2025, turned out to be one of the most important days in Newcastle United’s history as they beat Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.

Mark Todd was among thousands of Newcastle United fans at Wembley in London. But it was at the stadium and during the match when he suffered a stroke. Meanwhile, wife Kate was back home five months pregnant.

The Cramlington resident said: “I was at the match and my knees started to feel weird.

“The man next to me went to get the medics. I heard Dan Burn score the first goal as I was having a seizure.

“I kept thinking ‘oh god, my unborn son is going to grow up without his dad’. The next thing I knew I was surrounded by doctors.”

Mark was taken to Charing Cross Hospital and was diagnosed with a stroke before the match had even finished. On hearing the news, Kate, 38, her sister and ex-brother-in-law drove down to London as quickly as they could.

The 43-year-old was in Charing Cross Hospital for 12 nights while Kate stayed in an Airbnb. He was moved from London to the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital (NSECH) in Cramlington and then went to Wansbeck General Hospital, where he stayed for 10 weeks.

Mark said: “A doctor asked if I’d heard of Walkergate Park. At first, I thought it was a retirement home and I said I’m not doing that! But when I heard more about it and the work they do here, I thought get me in.”

Part of Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW), Walkergate Park provides services for people with a disability caused by injury or disease affecting the brain, spinal cord or muscles.

Mark was told there was a two to three month waiting list but just a couple of weeks later, a room was available. He had to be medically stable and was then transported to Walkergate Park.

He has been doing a range of therapies since he arrived in June. Kate gave birth to Emmett Oliver Stephen Todd four months ago and staff at Walkergate Park worked with NSECH to make sure Mark was at the birth as she was having a C-section on a set date.

Mark is recovering well, but it is a step by step process. He is working on taking steps and can sit up in his wheelchair and move around. He has been coming home on weekends since August and has seen small improvements each time.

He is also keen to go back to work. He has a computer in his hospital room and is getting a laptop so he can practice typing.

Mark also said the following in an appeal to others: “A stroke can happen at any age and it terrified me.

“I was invited for my over 40s check, but didn’t go. If I’d gone, they would have spotted my high blood pressure and the cause of it.

“If they find something, they can do something about it. So just go and get checked. It might save your life.”