Press release -
South Harting daughter goes the extra mile for the Stroke Association
South Harting resident Slaney Hopkins is preparing to take on the Morrison’s Great South Run on Sunday 25 October, to raise vital funds for the Stroke Association.
Slaney, 24, was inspired to run for the charity after her mum Caroline had a devastating stroke in September 2013. Caroline, 46, woke up one morning unable to move or speak. After her husband called an ambulance she was taken to hospital, where she was diagnosed as having had a stroke. The stroke affected both Caroline’s movement and speech, leaving her unable to walk or talk for months.
Slaney said, “Mum’s stroke was a huge shock to the whole family. When mum came out of hospital she was unable to say a single word for at least three months, and her right side was completely paralysed. With help from the Stroke Association, mum taught herself how to do everything again using her left hand. From reading, to writing, to cooking, and to even be able to speak again, mum was so determined.”
Caroline has since gone on to set up a forestry school with her husband Alex, teaching young children about the outdoors on their farm.
Slaney said: “We owe a lot of thanks to the Stroke Association for being there for mum through the hardest times. I wanted to take on this run to say thank you to the charity, and also raise vital funds to help other stroke survivors like my mum.”
Lauren Butcher, fundraiser at the Stroke Association, said: “With around 152,000 strokes a year in the UK – that’s around one every three and a half minutes - it is vital that we have people who can raise funds for people affected by stroke. We’re incredibly grateful to Slaney for taking on this challenge; the money will go a long way in helping to support people who are living with the effects of stroke, as well as their families and carers.”
It’s not too late to join Slaney on the day, please contact the Stroke Association for a limited gold bond place by emailing: gsr@stroke.org.uk or calling 02380 720 431.To sponsor Slaney, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/slaney-hopkins
Between 26 October and 01 November, the Stroke Association is calling on people to ‘Give a Hand’ to conquer stroke and raise vital funds for the charity. To find out more, visit www.stroke.org.uk/giveahand
Topics
A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain. There are around 152,000 strokes in the UK every year and it is the leading cause of severe adult disability. There are over 1.2 million people in the UK living with the effects of stroke.
Stroke Association is a charity. We believe in life after stroke and together we can conquer stroke. We work directly with stroke survivors and their families and carers, with health and social care professionals and with scientists and researchers. We campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best recovery they can. We fund research to develop new treatments and ways of preventing stroke. The Stroke Helpline (0303 303 3100) provides information and support on stroke. More information can be found at www.stroke.org.uk
