Following a very severe stroke in April of this year, and 3 months in hospital, Wendy, my mum, is now paralysed, unable to communicate clearly, and confined to a bed and chair for the rest of her life. She now lives in a nursing home, where, due to COVID 19, visits are limited.

Mum's stroke occurred almost exactly 30 years after her own mother had a similarly severe stroke which led her to spend the last 3 months of her life in hospital, similarly paralysed and unable to communicate.

The impact of a stroke can be life ending, or life changing. The impact goes beyond the person who has had the stroke, with big emotional, mental and practical implications for family and friends.

In recent years, our good friend and neighbour, Anita Peach has also experienced a severe stroke, from which she is still recovering. Two weeks before Mum had her stroke, another friend and neighbour, also had a stroke.

More than 100,000 strokes occur in the UK each year, causing 38,000 deaths. Strokes are a leading cause of disability and death.

The Stroke Association funds research into ways of preventing strokes, and supports people to rebuild their lives after suffering from a stroke.

Please help me raise funds to support the Stroke Association

https://www.stroke.org.uk/

by sponsoring my 1000 mile cycle ride from the top to the bottom of Spain, which I am doing in early October 2021.

Thank you