6 months ago my colleague and close friend suffered a potentially life changing and severe stroke. He left work at 8pm complaining of a severe headache and later that night, whilst at home alone he collapsed in his bathroom and was not found until the next evening when he failed to report for duty. He was fighting for his life for 14 to 18 hrs until he was found by his son. And he has carried on with that same fighting spirit ever since to try and regain his speech and strength.

When I created this page a few weeks ago, Ray needed a stair lift and electric wheel chair for when he returned home in November, but due to the fantastic care he has been receiving in hospital and his amazing strength and character he is now able to walk, stand and even walk up stairs, with the help of a walking aid and handrails. It has been incredible to see how much he has improved, and we hope with all your help he can keep progressing with his recovery when he returns home. All money we have received can now be put towards private physio sessions, from which he is really benefiting from. We will also use the money to make the improvements needed to Ray's home, with specially adapted handrails for the stair case and the rest of the home, where needed.

All the firefighters at our station in Enfield will be looking to raise money through fund raising events in the near future but any money you can give now will go a long way to helping us reach our goal.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for your kind donations

Yours thankfully

A35 Enfield Fire Station