Dagenham stroke survivor to tackle marathon challenge for charity

A stroke survivor from Dagenham who has been left with life-changing disabilities will walk the distance of a marathon to raise funds for the Stroke Association.

Bob Bailie, aged 52, has survived two major strokes in the last 14 years. He plans to walk the 26.2 miles over seven days for the charity’s Walk Your Way challenge, which enables people of all abilities to walk a marathon at their own pace.

Bob, who was a soldier in the British Army, first had a stroke at just 38. He was home alone when he suddenly fell ill with a severe headache, which he tried to sleep off. However, when he woke the next morning he was unable to speak or walk. A second stroke in 2010 also caused weakness in the right side of his body and left him with communication difficulties.

He said: “I was terrified. The headache was like pain I had never felt before. It was like being trapped in a dream that you can’t wake up from. Before it happened to me, I didn’t know what a stroke was or that it could happen at such a young age.

“I have always enjoyed walking and thought this would be the perfect way to get fit, and raise vital funds for the Stroke Association. Waking the distance of a marathon will be an enormous challenge for me as my stroke has left me disabled. But, I’m doing this to show other stroke survivors that there is life after stroke and if I can do it, then anyone can do it! I want everyone to join me and support this worthy cause”

Bob has also been a volunteer for the Stroke Association for over 13 years. He helps at local fundraising events and with training the charity’s new staff members by sharing his experience of stroke.

Hannah Richards, fundraising manager at the Stroke Association, said: “Stroke strikes in an instant and can cause more disabilities than any other condition. We are incredibly grateful to Bob for taking on this challenge to raise vital funds to help the Stroke Association support more stroke survivors re-gain their independence.

“We hope to see lots of people from Essex, join Bob by getting their walking shoes on for the Stroke Association. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an experienced walker, or if you’re looking for a new way to enjoy some exercise, Walk Your Way, is your chance to take on the marathon on your own terms. Walkers can be sponsored to walk the whole distance in one go, do it over a few days or spread the distance over the two-week period. All you need to do is take your first step and you’ll be on your way to changing the lives of stroke survivors.”

Walk Your Way takes place from 17 June to 1 July. To sign up visit stroke.org.uk/walkyourway.