8 weeks into lockdown my beautiful sister-in-law, Louise, suffered a serious stroke. She lost all movement down her right-hand side. She also lost her voice. Due to the pandemic we were unable to travel down to see her and support my brother, Iain, and the children Rebecca and Oliver. For a long time, no-one was allowed to go in and see her due to covid-19 so she had to be strong on her own.

A blood clot caused Louise to have her stroke, but we're not sure where it came from. After 8 weeks of lockdown battling depression and anxiety I can't even begin to imagine what she had been going through beforehand.

Louise has been in and out of intensive care, had FAST face arm speech therapy and physiotherapy, and has now been moved to a rehab centre. Hopefully, she'll start on the yellow brick road to recovery and be dancing in her sparkly red shoes soon!

When stroke strikes, part of your brain shuts down. And so does a part of you. Life changes instantly and recovery is tough. But the brain can adapt. The specialist support, research and campaigning provided by The Stroke Association are only possible with the courage and determination of the stroke community and fundraisers. With more donations and support from you, Louise, Iain, Rebecca and Oliver can begin to rebuild their lives.