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Here's why we're all doing this starting with Roy Bond, the man who had the idea in the first place and the driving force behind this fundraising challenge! 

• Roy's Story - At 6 years old my life changed when my mother had a stroke which left her with epilepsy, memory loss and paralysis of her left side. Eventually my family unit broke down and my mother and I returned to Nottingham. After support from family members we moved into supervised accommodation where I learned how to care for mum and she learned to live independently. I was 12 years old. I wish I had the support as a child that is available now. It wasn’t a good time for me. I hope by undertaking this challenge it will help raise awareness for carers and maybe help someone cope with the aftermath of such a life changing medical condition.

• Adam's Story - I was just 29 when I had my stroke. I was taken to the Stroke Unit at Nottingham’s City Hospital and noticed all the people around me were much older, some on their 2nd or 3rd stroke. I saw some refusing physiotherapy as if they were just giving up. I didn’t want to be like that. I was determined not to quit!
  My stroke was caused by a bleed from an Anterior Venus Malformation, or a ‘birth mark on the brain’ which had been there all my life. I was transferred to Sheffield where specialised non-invasive surgery was carried out using a ray gun to pin point the part of my brain that was damaged and cut around it. The operation was a success and with a lot of physiotherapy as well as speech and language sessions I started to rebuild my life.
  Although I’ve come a long way since my stroke I still have residual right side weakness. My grasp is still weak and I have hemiplegic migraines which cause symptoms that mimic those common to stroke. My stroke has also taken its toll on my mental health. I hope sharing my story and continuing with my fundraising efforts will help raise awareness to others how long and lonely the journey to recovery can be.
  I firmly believe the Stroke Associations ‘ACT F.A.S.T’ campaign saved my life and I will continue to support the association’s great work. I have taken part in various fundraising events including Tough Mudder which was a particular physical milestone. I expect this Nottingham to the East Coast walk will be another challenge!  

• Ian's Story - Having been friends with Roy & Adam for several years when I heard about the walk I decided to offer any help that I could. I imagined, as I’ve been a graphic designer for longer than I’d like to remember, they might ask me to do the odd thing on the promotion side! Thankfully they did, but, as the logo for the Facebook page took all of 5 minutes, I wondered if I could do anything else. Imagine my surprise to wake one Saturday morning to a text message that read: “Glad you decided to join in on the walk Stoddy”.  Now I remember going for a few beers with Roy the previous evening, but that’s pretty much it. When I spoke to him later that day he said “It’s only 30 miles a day for 3 days youth, you’ll be reet.”  “Oh deep joy” I replied, or something very similar. I know the cause is very close to the Roy & Adam’s hearts for obvious reasons. Unfortunately, it is now closer to my heart too, I lost an old friend in August ’18; a beautiful young lady taken far too soon.

• Debbie's Story -  As soon as I heard about the walk from Roy I just knew I had to be involved. I am doing a 100 mile walk for my charity, me & dee, in June and I just wanted to be involved with this too. I have raised monies for my charity over the last 5 years and prior to this raised funds for the big charities. My passion is motivating people, making people smile and just been a little bit crazy. I thought I would be a good addition to the group and rest assured I will be motivating you all along the way !!

• Craig's Story -  I'm Craig, a close friend of Adam’s, and was one of the first of our friends to visit Adam after his Stroke.  I’ve witnessed his recovery first hand. Having already raising funds for the Stroke Association at Adam's various fundraisers, as well as completing the Royal Parks Half myself for the charity, I look forward to once again Stepping Out For Stroke and supporting the cause.

• Deborah's Story - Like many people I’ve experienced family members who have suffered from a stroke.  Over the last few years of co-hosting Notts Tweet Up with Adam my understanding of stroke and its impact on survivors has been raised as I’ve learnt about the challenges living with life after a stroke.  When Roy shared his experience and his plan to raise funds for the Stroke Association I was keen to be involved and have been tasked with keeping Team 88 organised!  I’ll be looking after this page, along with our Facebook and Twitter accounts and raising the team’s profile, and ultimately that of the work of the Stroke Association, via PR and social media as well as looking after the operational and logistical needs of Team 88 during the walk itself and I’ll be joining them on the last leg of the walk on day 3!  Go Team 88 – you can do this!

• Sharon's Story - I’m Sharon MacInnes and my day job is Head of Faculty for Creative and Performing Arts at Bilborough Sixth Form College. I’m looking forward to supporting this event in memory of my father Keith, who suffered a stroke at 42. He had to retire from work and his subsequent battle with his physical and mental health led to his early death at 52. He never met his grandchildren. A stroke was fatal for my grandmother at 70 and my Aunt, Mary had a stroke last year, which has left her unable to care for herself and she is now in a nursing home. Through Notts Tweet up I met the inspirational Adam Hayes who survived a stroke at a young age and also Simon Kimberley, whose spirit is indomitable, despite needing to use a wheelchair and constantly battling to get the treatment he needs. I am only doing the last few miles of the walk because I have scoliosis and asthma, but I’ll give it my all! 

• Cathy's Story -  I am Ian’s wife and good friend of Roy, Adam and Deborah after meeting them at Notts Tweet Up. I have been so impressed by the energy, enthusiasm and planning which have gone into this epic challenge so far that I decided, with Deborah and Sharon, to join in with the last few miles of the Team 88 journey. Whether we will be a help or a hindrance is yet to be seen, but please dig deep for this cause which is so close to the participant’s hearts. ❤ Go Team 88!

• Sam Woodward's Story  -  Hi I’m Samantha Woodward and I run Samantha’s Coffee Shop in Sutton on Sea. I’ve known Roy for 8 years and have been watching the progress with his training for this great cause and wanted to get involved and show my support. Following an impulsive decision last year to do a skydive for charity I am now setting physical challenges to push myself and to raise money for various causes. I will be supporting Team 88 on day 3 walking the last leg from Horncastle to Mablethorpe. Whilst raising funds for the Stroke Association it will be great training for me ahead of my 100 mile walk for the Me&Dee Charity later in the year. I believe we should all do things that take us out our comfort zone and help to help raise money for others in need, which is why I’m even doing a wing walk this year!