Over 10 years ago, my partner had a stroke. It changed her life forever, and also changed mine. I've turned it into something positive and now do voluntary work for the Stroke Association. I support stroke survivors, particularly those with communication difficulties. And I work as a Stroke Ambassador, raising awareness about strokes.

Stroke is the UK's 4th biggest killer, however funding is only 1/5th of what is spent on cancer research. There are 1.2 million stroke survivors living in the UK, that is nearly 2% of the population.

When stroke strikes, part of your brain shuts down. And so does a part of you. That's because a stroke happens in the brain, the control centre for who we are and what we can do. It happens every five minutes in the UK and changes lives instantly. 

The Stroke Association is here to support people to rebuild their lives after stroke. They believe everyone deserves to live the best life they can after stroke. And its a team effort to get there.

Did you know that: 

£17 could pay to run the My Stroke Guide helpline for an hour, helping anyone whose life has been affected by any type of stroke get the expert advice they need.

£29 could pay for someone to receive emotional support from our Stroke Helpline 

£50 could held fund research to find new ways to help stroke survivors with communication difficulties