Halifax ‘superwoman’s’ dream comes true

The dreams of fundraising superstar, Amanda Morris, from Halifax, came true this week, when she came face to face with one of the Stroke Association’s top celebrity supporters, Greg James.

The 40-year-old mother of two was recently hailed a real-life ‘superwoman’ when she scooped the Stroke Association’s prestigious Fundraiser of the Year award at this year’s Life After Stroke Awards in June. Amanda raised over £11,500 for the charity’s life-changing work with stroke survivors, after setting herself an initial target of £2,013. 

Radio and TV personality Greg was originally due to present Amanda with her award but was unable to attend the ceremony, so instead kindly recorded a personal message to congratulate her on her accolade and arranged to meet her in person.

Amanda said: “I’m such a huge fan of Greg James and was over the moon when I saw he’d recorded a film for me at the Life After Stroke Awards. Getting to meet him was a once in a lifetime experience and it definitely lived up to my expectations. I will cherish these memories for a very long time. I’m so grateful to Greg and the Stroke Association for making this happen.”

Greg added: “It was great to meet Amanda today, she is amazing and what an inspiration! To take on 40 challenges is no mean feat, and to raise all that money for such a brilliant charity is just awesome.”

Danny Mitchell, Community and Events Fundraising Manager from the Stroke Association, said: "Amanda is a real-life superwoman and what she has achieved is nothing short of incredible. She set herself a formidable challenge and completely smashed her fundraising target five times over. Her impressive efforts will help to support our life-changing work with stroke survivors. It’s wonderful to recognise this with not only the Life After Stroke Award but by helping Amanda to meet Greg.”

Amanda’s fundraising was inspired by her friend Paul Thomas. One week before her 39^th birthday, Paul had a major stroke in December 2012. He was just 36 and the stroke left him paralysed down the left-hand side of his body.

She said: “Paul’s stroke knocked us all for six. I thought it was only older people who were at risk of a stroke. I had no idea it can affect people of all ages. This was a real wake-up call for me, and I was determined do everything possible to help Paul and others who have been affected by stroke.”

To raise vital funds for the Stroke Association, Amanda came up with the idea of completing 40 sponsored challenges before she turned 40. These included fasting for 40 hours, a 40-pub bar crawl and a 40-day raffle and prize auction. Her employer, Leeds-based International Personal Financial, also donated £1,000.

The Stroke Association’s Life After Stroke Awards, sponsored by TONI&GUY Charitable Foundation, 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 on the Life After Stroke Awards and to view short films about the winners, including Amanda, visit www.stroke.org.uk/lasa.