Beverly takes up Inca challenge for her sister Georgie

02-03-15

Beverly takes up Inca challenge for her sister Georgie

Beverly Salt, from Bristol, will be embarking on the challenge of her lifetime, on the 16^th March 2015. Beverly will be walking the Inca Trail over four days to raise money for the Stroke Association and Your Voice, a local support group, run by her sister Georgie & fellow stroke survivor Paul Barnes for Stroke Survivors in Devon.

Beverly’s sister Georgie had a minor stroke last summer and a second 3 months later. This has meant a huge life change, having to give up her job and to some extent her independence. Beverly adds “After the first incidence, Georgie suffered from anxiety having lost all her confidence dealing with the outside world. The second incident made her realise life is for living.She started to make a new life for herself, by going to night school and re-training in a totally new career.”

In addition to re-training for a new career, Georgie has also set up a local Stroke Support Group, which is called Your Voice. The group helps to support people locally, who have difficulty getting to support groups further afield.

Beverly was inspired by her sister and will be joining a team of fundraisers to conquer the Inca Trail, she said “The Inca Trail is something I have wanted to do for many years, and will be a personal challenge for me. I would like to take this opportunity to raise funds for my sister's support group and the Stroke Association, who have been amazing in all the support they have given her.”

Georgie and Paul’s Your Voice stroke group holds a meeting on the 2nd Monday of every month at The Cromwell Arms in Bovey Tracy Devon. The group started in January when Paul and Georgie used money that they had instead of Christmas gifts to help start the group. Georgie adds “Although we’re based in Bovey stroke survivors and their carers come from all around including Newton Abbot and Plymouth.We do not have an age restriction; we have people from their 30's to 80's attend.”

Every year, around 46,000 people in the UK have a mini-stroke for the first time. The symptoms are the same as stroke but last for a short time and people appear to return to normal.  1 in 12 people will have a stroke within a week of having a TIA.

You can sponsor Beverly by visiting www.justgiving.com/Beverly-Salt. All funds raised will go to the Stroke Association, who will then donate half of the amount raised to Georgie's group.

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To set up an interview or receive further information please contact Cheryl Randeria on 07810 697957

Photo caption: Beverley and Georgie at a retro party