Cambridge stroke survivor encourages budding bakers to Give a Hand and Bake

A 28 year-old-stroke survivor from Cambridge is supporting the Stroke Association’s latest fundraising initiative: Give a Hand and Bake.

Give a Hand and Bake asks people to roll up their sleeves, grab a mixing bowl and bake to help make a difference for people affected by stroke. Budding bakers will be baking a difference all over the UK from 24-30 October.

Martha Davies has to work harder than most people to achieve her beautiful bakes. Three years ago she was struck down by a devastating stroke at the age of 25, which left her with speech problems and weakness down the right side of her body.

Martha said: "Following my stroke I had problems with my speech and my ability to walk. It was so frightening - I thought I might be paralysed for the rest of my life, but I was determined to do everything I could to get my mobility and independence back again. There are times when the road to recovery has been painful and hard, but you just have to carry on.

“Before my stroke, I’d enjoyed baking, and I thought I’d see if making cakes for friends and family could help with my recovery. Cracking the eggs and getting the mixture into cake tins were the biggest challenges, but I was so proud when my cake came out of the oven. It made me realise what was still able to achieve. Things went from strength to strength, and I opened my own baking business earlier this year.”

Martha now features in a Stroke Association film, demonstrating how to bake a cake with one-sided weakness. She said: “I’m so pleased to be able to roll up my sleeves and Give a Hand and Bake for the Stroke Association. Baking is such an important part of my life now, and I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of this fantastic charity.”

George Burroughs, Community and Events Fundraising Manager at the Stroke Association, said: “Martha’s recovery is truly inspiring. There are over 100,000 stroke survivors living in the East of England who need support to rebuild their lives.

“This October, we’re looking for bakers to help raise some serious dough for people recovering from stroke. It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned chef or a first time baker, all you’ll need is a generous dollop of enthusiasm and a hungry group of friends and you’ll have the perfect recipe for fundraising success.

“With your support during Give a Hand Week we can create a new era for stroke where every stroke survivor gets the treatment they need and the lifelong care they deserve.”

To watch Martha’s baking tutorial, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kOoflzcubE