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

Sara, 49, 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.

As a mother of three grown up children, Sara was looking forward to a new phase in her life where she could devote more time to getting fit and building her career as a professional cake maker and support worker for disabled children when the stroke changed everything.

Sara said:

“I was about to start the next stage of my life. I’d always put my three kids first, but now it was time for me and I’d lost weight and felt great.

“But one day, I had a really bad headache and when my twin boys came home, they knew something wasn’t right and said I had to go to hospital.

“I was in for almost two months. They said it would be longer, but I was determined to get out – so I’d make anyone who visited help me walk up and down the ward and bang my crutch, saying I’m leaving – and I did get out earlier!”

Sara has been left with weakness down one side which has affected her ability to bake. But, with the help of her sons, who are both chefs, she’s looking forward to creating something delicious for Give a Hand and Bake.

She added:

“When I got home from hospital, I just didn’t have a life, but Jason from the Stroke Association kept on telling me to join my local group – and when I did, they became like a family to me. I’d had a zest for life before my stroke, and they helped me get it back, so now I want to give something back to them.

“I can’t decorate cakes like I used to, but if my sons help me crack the eggs and pipe on the icing, I can make a nice sponge or some cupcakes.”

And Sara’s top tips for others looking to Give a Hand and Bake?

“Always take your eggs out of the fridge 12 hours beforehand, and after the cake is ready, spread on a thin layer of icing, put it in the fridge for five minutes – and then the rest of the icing won’t be full of crumbs!”

Llinos Wyn Parry, Interim Director of the Stroke Association in Wales, 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 Swansea 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.