Local stroke survivor urges Crawley residents to get baking and raise some dough for charity

Crawley stroke survivor and budding baker, Emma Berrisford, is calling on local residents to get baking this October to raise vital funds for the Stroke Association.

Mother of two, Emma, 47, is supporting the charity’s Give a Hand and Bake Week, from 22 to 28 October 2018, when money will be raised through bake sales across the UK.

Emma had a stroke in 2003 whilst she was six months pregnant with her son. Taking her daughter to a play group, she started to sway and struggled to hold a cup of tea. Emma was rushed to hospital where doctors confirmed she’d had a stroke. Thankfully both Emma and her baby survived.

Ten years later in 2013, Emma went on to have a second stroke. Emma collapsed in her bathroom floor in the night and her husband quickly called for an ambulance.

Emma said: "Following my stroke I have problems with my eyesight and ability to walk. I also have loss of sensation down the left side of my body which can be painful to touch and I struggle to feel hot or cold. It was so frightening, and the smallest things made me upset, like not being able to feel if my children were cold.

“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.

“Having a young family, baking always seemed to bring us together. When you have a stroke you think it’s the end of everything, but I soon realised it’s not. Whilst I needed to make some small adjustments in the kitchen, realising I could still bake made me feel good.

“Cracking the eggs and getting the cake tins into the oven are the biggest challenges for me, but I’m always so proud when my bakes come out of the oven. It made me realise what was still able to achieve. Things are going from strength to strength, I’m understanding the key things that I need to do in order to be in control and organised. I make sure family help me get ingredients out ready, and that the oven shelves are in the correct place. Organisation is key, and the kids always seem to want to help because they know they’ll get a slice of what comes out of the oven at the end of the day!”

Chloe Braidford, Regional Fundraiser at the Stroke Association, said: “Give a Hand and Bake Week is a fun, and delicious, way to support our charity’s work. We fund research into stroke treatment and care and support stroke survivors with their recovery. This includes our latest online tool, My Stroke Guide, which provides round-the-clock advice, information and support for stroke survivors, their family and carers.

“We’d love people in Crawley to bake up a storm with friends, family or colleagues for Give a Hand and Bake. Whether you’re a baking beginner or a seasoned chef, you prefer to bake brownies for the office or hosting afternoon tea for friends and family, there are lots of ways your baking can rise to the challenge.”

Visit www.stroke.org.uk/GAH to sign up for a Give a Hand and Bake fundraising pack and to find out more about My Stroke Guide and other support offered by the Stroke Association.