Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability.  The age of stroke is dropping and the incidence is rising in sub Saharan Africa, due to increasing rates smoking, high blood pressure, western diet and obesity.  Early stroke care and good quality rehabilitation is essential to reduce disability following stroke.

There are no stroke services or rehabilitation either  in hospital or community in Sierra Leone, outside of the private health clinics.  Resulting in working age people losing employment, earnings and living in poverty due to stroke disability.

Patrick (pictured above)  worked on the stroke unit at Addenbrookes hospital in Cambridge. On retirement he challenged himself to set up the first public stroke service in Sierra Leone.   Working with his team from Addenbrookes, Cambridge Global Health Partnership, the District Medical Officer  and the Matron in Bo, (Sierra Leone's second city) he has been given a ward for the stroke unit.

We are raising funds to: equip the stroke unit, train the nurses and health assistants in stroke care and rehabilitation.  

We have recently  been awarded a grant from the Burdett Nursing Trust, to support six nurses in leadership skills to set up the following projects while we work beside them.

• Public awareness campaign using social media and television info commercials
• Blood pressure awareness campaign and nurse training
• Stroke and rehabilitation training for staff and community workers
• ECG training and awareness linking with cardiac team from Addenbrookes
• Database for understanding issues and monitoring progress
• Public health drop-ins, in markets and town centres for information and awareness.

We are in desperate need of stroke and rehabilitation equipment such as wheelchairs, walking aids, blood pressure machines and much much more.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Help us make this a reality - donate or join our events:

1. Our ART4 Sierra Leone project is live please see details, wonderful Art at affordable prices.

 https://sl-stroke-partnership.site/    

2. Virtual walk to Sierra Leone,  starts 22/11/21 - join us as we cycle, walk, run each week to cover the distance 7064 kilometres - compete with your friends, improve your fitness and raise funds for stroke in Sierra Leone by making a donation on this page.  I have pledged to cover 500km, can you do more?

i) Download Strava app, free and works for android and iphones.  accept the 'Sierra Leone walking challenge'  Cambridge UK (in group section)

3. Film 'Rosie' explores the impact of stroke disability on Rosie, her family and life - all proceeds go to Sierra Leone.

4. Walk and picnic coming this spring date tbc.

We welcome anyone who would like to coordinate more activities, please get in touch,