I had never given stroke a second thought, while living a busy life with 3 young children...and that was something that happens to old people, right?!

Well, it felt like a bomb had dropped into our lives when my baby boy Rocco suffered a huge stroke. Stroke changes everything in one second...while you are busy planning your day/week/life ..stroke happens and just like that - nothing is ever the same again. Angels must be watching over us that day as Rocco has fought to overcome this like a total hero! We feel so lucky so have him here with us everyday and now we want to support others going through this...

We also want to raise awareness for childhood stroke, because like me, I never knew this was even a thing!! It is heart-breaking and soul destroying to have a seriously ill child and the more people know that stroke can happen to anyone - the easier it is diagnosed and children can receive the right care - fast!

Our story...On Jan 2nd 2018 Rocco Hole (aged 3) had a huge stroke at nursery. He dropped to the floor, his face dropped down on one side and when he came round he couldn't remember who people were or speak properly. We took him to a&e and was first sent away with these symptoms being put down to a minor illness. We returned back that evening knowing something is not right. Rocco struggled to remember his favourite toy or who is grandad Jammy was and was not acting himself at all...We never came back from a&e that night and was in hospital for 16 days, moving to the London Evelina Children's hospital after 8 days.

Rocco endured multiple tests every day including a CT scan, blood test, cannula changes most days, which was a constant struggle and sometimes 5 people were involved in helping to restrain him to get the blood test - it was an awful experience for Rocco and us as his parents. Additional tests included a ct scan with dye, a chest x Ray, 3 different high strength IV antibiotics every 4 hours for days, mri scan under general anaesthetic, lumber puncture under sedation. His veins were giving up working so he ended up with cannula in his foot meaning he couldn't walk around. Multiple Blood tests 15 bottles of blood, urine tests, 2 heart scans, another mri for head and neck once moved to the Evelina hospital. ALL of this and no further along with answers of WHY this happened to Rocco.

He received physio at hospital and speech and language therapy locally. When home he has had stomach scans, kidney scans, and 3 more MRI scans under general anaesthetic. Rocco became very anxious about hospitals and doctor's appointments and took 2 months to gradually get back into going to nursery. He suffers with memory problems and word finding difficulties and is started school in September where he is monitored for how he is progressing. He is under the care of the amazing doctors at the Evelina Children's hospital and we have had support from the Childhood Stroke Project to try and process and get through this tough time....

We would love to support the Stroke charity to help raise awareness for childhood stroke. I can run but not to marathon standard, my amazing sister Chloe takes on every challenge...and has taken this role to run the 2020 marathon for Rocco and everyone else close to us who has been effected by stroke. Please donate and help us to help other families who are suffering devastating effects of stroke.

The Stroke Association - 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. Our specialist support, research and campaigning are only possible with the courage and determination of the stroke community. With more donations and support from you, we can rebuild even more lives.