A former Financial Planning chief who suffered a stroke has completed a 5km foot race despite his physical difficulties.

Nick Cann, who used to be chief executive of the Institute of Financial Planning, before it merged with the CISI in November 2015, took on the Devauden Races 5K yesterday.

He has raised about £3,000 for The Stroke Association.

His accomplishment comes despite the weakness he suffers on on his right arm and leg.

Mr Cann said he took on the challenge because he wanted to raise funds “to help others like me” – despite having a dislike for running and facing a number of hills on the course.

He said the last time he ran was while playing rugby 25 years ago at school.

He has been running at the gym to prepare but he said this had been hard going.

@TheStrokeAssoc @StrokeWales £2700 charity. Devauden 5km run 44.15 minutes ? pic.twitter.com/jwg1XEXfnB

— Nick Cann (@Nickcanncfp) May 1, 2017

Well done @Nickcanncfp ran 5k and raised £4K for @StrokeWales pic.twitter.com/mpsZyi6W4O

— Jo Cann (@jocannmba) May 1, 2017

@TheStrokeAssoc @StrokeWales £2700 charity. Devauden 5km run 44.15 minutes ? pic.twitter.com/jwg1XEXfnB

— Nick Cann (@Nickcanncfp) May 1, 2017

@Nickcanncfp @TheStrokeAssoc Huge congratulations Nick and co - fantastic achievement!

— Stroke Assoc Wales (@StrokeWales) May 1, 2017

Money raised will go to Project Phoenix to help stroke survivors in Monmouthshire. Last year, The Stroke Association awarded Mr Cann, 53, a National Fundraising Award in recognition of his efforts for the charity. A project he began has so far raised a total of £57,000.

Mr Cann’s family spoke movingly of the “cruel” blow and the impact it has had on all of their lives ever since in a video late last year.  It was made to coincide with Mr Cann’s award.

Watch the video in full below.

Mr Cann’s stroke happened around Easter in 2013.

His wife Jo, who also works in financial services, was in a meeting when she got a phone call from a paramedic saying her husband had collapsed during a speech on Financial Planning – but she didn’t know he had a stroke initially. When she arrived at hospital he couldn’t move, with no movement down his right side and he couldn’t speak at all.

She said: “I wasn’t expecting just how severe it was...his speech was his job, his speech was his life and he loved stand up comedy.”

Jemma, one of Mr Cann’s daughters, said: “My father has always been a huge source of inspiration for all three of his children. I am incredibly proud of how far he has come since we first saw him in the hospital after his stroke. 

“He is my hero.”