Every day in the UK, another 240 people wake up to the catastrophic impact of a stroke.

Anyone – mums, dads, grandparents, young people, even children – can have a stroke, and its impact is traumatic.

A stroke can leave survivors unable to move, see, speak, or even swallow, and impacts the whole family. With strength, determination and the right support, recovery is possible.

Every lottery ticket that you buy helps us to provide tailored support to tens of thousands of stroke survivors each year, fund vital scientific research, and campaign to secure the best care and support for everyone affected by stroke.

So keep playing, keep having fun, and keep changing lives! Thank you.

Lisa, stroke survivor, with her dog

Play now

Lisa's story

At just 31 years old, Lisa was left with blind spots in her vision, weakness in her hand and severe fatigue following a stroke. But one of the most significant impacts of the stroke has been the emotional effect on her.

Lisa began individual counselling sessions with the Stroke Association’s Cornwall Emotional Support Service. Lisa said: ‘After a few sessions with Manu from the service I couldn’t wait for my appointment each week. She was awesome. She made me feel human again. Without a doubt, I believe everyone should have access to a Stroke Association Support Service.’

Russell's story

Russell, a keen mountain-biker, was just 51 when he had two serious strokes. After his strokes, Russell had to relearn how to stand up, eat and walk.

Russell found out about the Stroke Association after receiving support from the charity. Later, when he discovered the Stroke Association’s Weekly Volunteer Calls, everything clicked. ‘I spoke to a lady on the phone. She was so kind and reassuring, I remember thinking how much that meant to me.’

Despite the odds, Russ has made remarkable progress, and he is now a passionate Stroke Association volunteer, giving other stroke survivors vital telephone support. He has found volunteering to be a crucial part of his own recovery journey. ‘Volunteering is my medicine. Helping other stroke survivors keeps me going with my recovery. I am grateful for every day, for the things that I have and for simply being here.

[imageCaption]

Pam's story

Pamela’s stroke left her with ‘scary’ hallucinations, fatigue and debilitating anxiety. She was just 55. Unable to work, drive or read due to her visual problems and feeling ‘totally lost’, she recognised a gradual slide into depression.

Pam was referred to the Stroke Association’s Fylde Coast Stroke Recovery Service by the stroke team at the hospital. She said: ‘From the first conversation with Claire, my Stroke Support Coordinator, I have had the best support and care. Every single contact has been positive and helpful. She put me in touch with a sight loss charity called N-Vision. They came out to visit and were brilliant.’

[imageCaption]

Joanne's story

Joanne, a fitness-loving, independent, single mum and finance assistant from Cornwall was left unable to walk, eat or look after herself.

‘Manu the Stroke Association’s Cornwall Emotional Support service was amazing. She has helped me find ways to cope with my ‘new normal’ and feel like my old self again.’

Inspired by the support she received from the Stroke Association, Joanne is now hoping to volunteer for the Stroke Association and help other stroke survivors feel more hopeful and find ways forward.

[imageCaption]

Rebecca's story

‘Having a stroke is like someone whipping the rug out from under your feet. I went from doing parkrun every Saturday to needing help getting in and out of the shower and being unable to drive or work. It’s crazy how quickly your independence and confidence gets taken away from you.

The Stroke Association’s Online Community is an amazing resource that connected me to people who understood stroke. It was just what I needed at that time and it worked so brilliantly for me. I’m so grateful to the Stroke Association.’

[imageCaption]

You could win up to £5,000!

Play now

Patsy – stroke survivor

Thanks to supporters like you, Patsy was helped by her local Stroke Support Coordinator – something she says made a huge difference.

Patsy said: ‘Having that person come into my home, sit down with me, and really listen – it meant everything. That face-to-face support was vital – it helped me make sense of what had happened and gave me hope. I really don’t know what I would had done without it.’

© Stroke Association
Top
Accept Cookies