​Local whippet receives regional recognition

Local whippet, Kevin from Great Whittington, has received a Highly Commended Life After Stroke Award from the Stroke Association, in recognition of his fundraising efforts to help conquer stroke.

The creative canine, owned by Val Tuck, received his nomination for dressing up and posting the photos on twitter in return for donations to the charity. The sponsorship also coincides with Val taking part in the Great North Run and 2015 will be the tenth year she has taken part.

Kevin’s costumes have seen him dressed as a midwife, Cleopatra, Father Christmas, Slash and even ‘Dog Vader’! He happily poses for the photos as he knows he’ll get a biscuit afterwards. Kev’s creative fundraising has raised over £3,000 to date for the Stroke Association in memory of Val’s dad, Hugh Campbell. Kev was also nominated for the JustGiving Awards in 2014.

Kev, who has over 10,000 followers on Twitter, said: “I is vewy excited at receivin this award. I dwesses up in weturn for donashuns an mum helps by makin me costumes an by doin da Gweat Norf Run an a fire walk. I enjoys posin an I luvs the biccies I is goin to get for sittin nicely. I is doin it in memory of me gwandad, he wud be vewy pwoud.”

Kevin and Val received the Highly Commended certificate from BBC Look North presenter, Paul Mooney, at a celebratory event at the Marriott Hotel in Gateshead on Wednesday 15 July.

Peter Moore, Regional Head of Operations for the Stroke Association in the North East, continued: “Kevin and Val have created a very creative and inspiring way to fundraise for the Stroke Association. Kevin even honoured our Royal Mail Charity of the Year partnership by dressing up as a postman! Their creativity continues to encourage people to support the Stroke Association and we’re very thankful to them for all their efforts.

“We were thrilled that so many of our community in the North East were nominated to receive a Life After Stroke Award. Our regional event highlights the tremendous courage people have shown in rebuilding their lives after a stroke, or in helping others to do the same.”

The Stroke Association’s Life After Stroke Awards recognise the courage shown by stroke survivors and carers as well as the great work and commitment shown by health professionals, groups and supporter organisations. For more information visit www.stroke.org.uk/LASA

For more information about stroke, ring the Helpline on 0303 30 33 100 or visit www.stroke.org.uk.