My name is Gavin Hageman. I am a 51-year-old father of two boys. I had a stroke five years ago which left me semiparalysed and partially sighted. From being in a wheelchair initially, I have gradually recovered and am  now able to walk without a stick. 2 miles is the furthest I've ever walked since my stroke and I'm determined to try and walk 5 miles to raise as much money as possible for the stroke Association. This will be a big personal challenge and a great step for me if I can achieve this and raise some money which the stroke Association will use to help other stroke survivors.

My attempt to walk 5 miles to raise funds for the stroke Association was last Tuesday 27th/5.

The walk began at about 1030  outside the town hall in Oxford. Just before the start there were some speeches in the town hall to introduce the fund raising effort by local VIPs such as the town Mayor. There were about 20 participants many of  whom had suffered strokes like myself. I was accompanied by Peter  who was able to walk off the harness around the  ChristChurch college grounds which he absolutely loved. One lap of the college Riverside Meadows was calculated to be 2 miles. I was worried about uneven terrain but actually they were mainly gravel pathways which is quite good apart from the many puddles following rain which I found very difficult to see. Luckily my support worker Jarrett and walk warden, Paul were able to help guide me around these puddles. Peter, was of course off duty for the duration of the walk and enjoying himself playing in the puddles and trying to get in the river Thames. I walked two laps plus an extra bit to make it up to that 5 miles, taking regular little rests on benches long way as my left leg became progressively numb and uncooperative. It took me over three hours in total to walk the 5 miles and afterwards I felt absolutely delighted to have more than doubled my previous post-stroke maximum walk of 2 miles.

Once I got home I felt physically sick. since my brain injury, such  physical exertion makes me unable to function a little bit like being really drunk. I slept for three hours  and then another eight hors at night. Although my limbs still feel very strange and unresponsive to instructions, I do feel a little better now but it will be a few days before I feel strong enough to go out walking in Witney with Peter on the harness.