AS A RECENT STROKE SURVIVOR I HAVE BEEN MADE PATENTLY AWARE OF THE SUPERB WORK CARRIED OUT BY THE STROKE ASSOCIATION, IN TERMS OF RAISING AWARENESS OF STROKE, AND SUPPORTING THE MANY PEOPLE IN THE UK, EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THIS UNPREDICTABLE CONDITION. HAVING BEEN INSPIRED BY ANDY MC CANN’S BOOK ‘STROKE SURVIVOR’ AND ADOPTING A CAN DO ATTITUDE THAT REFUSES TO BE BEATEN BY MY CURRENT IMPAIRMENTS I HAVE BATTLED HARD TO REGAIN A LEVEL OF MOBILITY WHERE I CAN ONCE AGAIN AIM TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SORT OF  EVENT LIKE THE ‘WICKLOW MOONLIGHT CHALLENGE’ (www.moonlightchallenge.com) WHICH IS VERY MUCH A PERSONAL CHALLENGE AND MILESTONE ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY AS WELL AS BEING AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK FOR AN EXTREMELY  WORTHWHILE CHARITABLE CAUSE TO HELP THE MANY LESS FORTUNATE SURVIVORS THAN MYSELF.

THE ORGANISERS OF THIS EVENT; ‘THE GLEN OF IMAAL MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM’ (A CHARITABLE ORGANISATION WHOSE VOLUNTEERS GIVE UP THEIR TIME 365 DAYS A YEAR FOR NO PERSONAL RECOMPENSE), HAVE KINDLY GIVEN PERMISSION FOR US TO FUND- RAISE FOR STROKE ASSOCIATION (ALL RECEIPTS IN EXCESS OF A FIXED 75 EUROS PER TEAM MEMBER WHICH GOES DIRECT TO MOUNTAIN RESCUE). OUR TEAM ‘STRIDING FOR STROKE ‘WILL COMPRISE 3 ABLE- BODIED PEOPLE PLUS MYSELF.

STEVE BOWKER

HOW YOUR SUPPORT WILL HELP

For every £1 donated, 79p goes directly to supporting our work to fight stroke

20p is invested to generate future revenue and 1p will go towards running the charity

Just £3 a month (or 10p a day) will make a big difference to stroke survivors and their loved ones across the UK

£5 could help provide 15 people with crucial leaflets like 'communication problems after stroke’ which help people come to terms with the profound difference to their lives after stroke

£10 can go to purchasing large handled cutlery specifically designed for use by a stroke survivor to help improve their quality of life after stroke

£20 could pay for the stroke helpline to give personalised, life-changing advice and support to callers who are struggling with the trauma of stroke

£50 can pay for a day’s training for a carer to help them understand how to better support their loved ones and other stroke survivors

£150 can provide a life-changing ‘Life After Stroke’ grant to a person affected by stroke. It could help pay for a ramp to access their homemore easily and live more independently

£500 could pay for equipment like digital voice recorders, laptops and specialist software for stroke