It wasn't a stroke of luck that hit our family two years ago it was the cold stroke of grim reality. My brother, a young chap of 40-odd, and having just won a pub quiz with his team at the Black Bull in Kirkby Stephen, collapsed.  Just before his victory pint, he suffered a stroke. Typing this sentence even now seems surreal - but it isn't - it is a punch in the guts glaringly real. And it's not just my family that face this kind of misfortune it affects millions of others and it is for that reason - and my brother - that I want to raise money for Stroke Association and help change the world for stroke survivors.

My brother is a  witty, whacky and wordy chap.  He made us laugh, made us think, made us cry and gave us great joy with his amazing photographs and wise words! He was also a sarcastic git with a gallows humour that could make your hair curl, and guess what, HE IS STILL ALL OF THOSE THINGS - and we want him to remain so for as long as possible.

The sting in this tale [sic] is that since the stroke he has also been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. The battle plan has changed somewhat but the brave knight and his troops have rallied.

Please stand with us! Don't shed a tear - he hates tears and fuss - instead shed the cash from your coffers and donate, knowing that on the 22 Sept I will be pumping my little fat legs like billy-o!  C'mon, that must be worth a bob or two!