Our HFMC Wealth staff nominated a special charity to support this year, Different Strokes who support younger stroke victims, people with everything to live for, with years of future potential or in mid career, suddenly struck down and facing a major rehabilitation need far earlier in life than anyone should ever expect.

This isn’t uncommon. A wonderful colleague suffered a stroke in the middle of a client meeting just a few years ago. My trainer of 10 years, a nationally ranked squash player, was hit with 9 strokes two years ago. Both are fighters recovering little by little and both truly welcome every item of support they can garner for their fellow survivors as well as themselves, especially to get out from their homes and engage with their peers. Different Strokes provides exactly such support.

This small charity makes a massive difference to thousands of people in helping younger stroke victims find ways to get back into active, purposeful living and in giving help to their families. "A stroke charity run by younger stroke survivors for younger stroke survivors"

There's an additional motivation for me to try and help. I have my own recent story around rehabilitation support and its incredible restorative effect.

As some of you know last April 2022 my left shoulder was shattered, the humerus ball gone , my humerus bone snapped in two and my left arm nerves crushed in a ski accident with no certainty my arm would move again. After helicopter and air ambulance transfers back to the UK, 3 weeks in hospital, surgery with large metal bits inserted and so far 13 months of intense rehabilitation; starting first with just small hand movements, to lifting a fork, eating, dressing, driving, and finally getting on my bike; it's been a journey of many stages and more to go. As part of this I decided on a cycling goal as an incentive to recovery, now dedicated also for this super cause

It's 100 kilometres of off-road bumpy mountain biking in the dark, overnight, with climbs totalling over 4,000 feet, starting at 10pm on Saturday 24th June. A London to Brighton with a difference. It'll mean a lot personally if I can pull it off and I hope a lot for Different Strokes.

I am fortunate in having an incredible circle of support. Different Strokes exists to support younger stroke sufferers who are not so fortunate who are having to deal with what is a complex and painstaking journey of rehabilitation, often with no certainty as to the possible level of recovery.

My experience wasn't a stroke, far less, but it has given me an insight into the redemptive power of people helping people and this charity is one with a wonderful focus on just that. So whatever you may be able to give (plus gift aid) , it's for a great cause.