​Newcastle-under-Lyme stroke survivor raises £4,200 for the Stroke Association

David Jordan, 38 from Newcastle-under-Lyme, has raised more than £4,200 for the Stroke Association, after surviving a stroke less than a year ago.

A father of three young children, David was at home in the shower when he felt dizzy and overheated, but still went into work that day.

He said: “I thought the shower had just been too hot, but when I got into work I still felt unwell, so came straight home. As soon as I was back I had a really painful headache so got straight in bed, but when it didn’t go by the next day, my wife Aileen called an ambulance.”

Ambulance staff initially put David’s symptoms down to a migraine, but after they worsened, another ambulance took him to hospital later that day.

David said: “I was being sick and had lost all my balance. After scans in hospital, I was given the devastating news I’d had a stroke. For the first three days I was in bed and couldn’t even move without feeling sick. I had to relearn to walk but fortunately my movement came back more quickly than I expected. I was able to walk out of hospital and continue to recover at home; I feel very fortunate.”

David was inspired to raise vital funds for the Stroke Association, to help others affected by stroke. As Social Media Manager at bet365, David organised a charity football match at the bet365 Stadium in Stoke on 26 May, where his workmates lined up against a team of his friends from outside work.

David added: “None of this could have been possible without the help from my friends and family. We set about seeking sponsors and put on a raffle with prizes ranging from tickets to the races to a signed Michael Owen England kit. The match itself was a fantastic day. We had access to the changing rooms and even walked out from the tunnel with our kids. Family and friends cheered from the stands and the match was played in high spirits. The final score was 3-1 to my team; I even scored the final goal which was the icing on the cake.”

Kat Winstanley, Regional Fundraiser at the Stroke Association, said: “Every year we help tens of thousands of stroke survivors and their families through our range of services and free helpline, but we can only do this through the generosity of people like David. We’re incredibly grateful to David, his friends and family for choosing to support the Stroke Association. The fantastic amount raised will go a long way towards helping more stroke survivors and their families to rebuild their lives.”

To sponsor David, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/david-jordan9. For more information about stroke, visit stroke.org.uk or call the Helpline on 0303 3033 100.