Portsmouth fundraisers scoop national award

Portsmouth brother and sister Marvin Fray and Bethany Foley, have been awarded a Life After Stroke Award for fundraising, after they brought in over £27,000 for the Stroke Association. They were presented with their award by Warwick Davis and Stephen K Amos at the Stroke Association’s Life After Stroke Awards at the Landmark hotel in London on 21 November 2018.

Marvin, 35, and Bethany, 27, were inspired to support the charity after their mother Jean collapsed at their sister’s wedding last year, and died the following day from a stroke. After the shock of the tragedy, their grandmother Audrey also had a stroke on the day of her daughter’s funeral.

Marvin said: “Our mother was the kindest person we ever knew. She was full of love and such an inspiring and supportive mother to us all. She was generous and thoughtful, and valued experiences and time over material possessions. Gifts would always involve an activity, be it a day out, a lunch, anything that would involve spending time with us all.”

Bethany said: “She was fun, and loved music and dancing. She would join us at concerts and festivals, and even joined Marcia's hen weekend a month before her wedding! Not a day goes by where we don’t think about mum – she was a truly remarkable lady. To also lose our grandmother was just heart-breaking, as a family we knew we had to do something in tribute of both these incredible women.”

In order to honour their beloved mother and grandmother, Marvin, Bethany and their sister Marcia, threw themselves into raising awareness and money for the Stroke Association. The family took part in Simplyhealth’s Great South Run earlier in the year, and have received enormous support from family, friends and colleagues who have helped to raise money through other events and activities.

Marvin said: “We feel proud of everything we’ve achieved so far, and absolutely over the moon to win the Stroke Association’s Life After Stroke Award for our fundraising. Throughout it all we’ve channelled our mother, and tried to make something positive come out of what has been such a sad time for us all. We know that on the night our mother and grandmother will be with us, and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate two wonderful ladies.”

Tammy Angus, Regional Fundraiser at the Stroke Association who nominated Marvin, Bethany and Marcia for their award said: “I nominated Marvin, Bethany and Marcia because their strength, dedication and passion. Their devotion for the awareness of stroke prevention has been inspirational for us as a charity to watch over the past year.

“Marvin, Bethany and Marcia have worked so hard to raise funds to help conquer stroke. The scale of their ambition and what they have achieved is truly remarkable. Thanks to their passion for raising money, much needed funds will make a real difference to helping people affected by stroke and supporting vital stroke research.”

Warwick Davis, who presented Marvin, Bethany and Marcia with their award said: “It is a real joy to be asked to give the family this award. They have a really moving story and it’s humbling to see how they have turned such a heart wrenching tragedy into a chance to give back and give thanks. They are such an incredible family and their achievement is an amazing legacy and testament to the two remarkable people who inspired them.”

Marvin, Bethany and Marcia are also supporting the Stroke Association’s Christmas appeal, ‘I am more than my stroke’. The appeal raises money so the charity can help more stroke survivors live with the impact of their stroke because it may have changed their lives but it doesn’t need to define who they are as person. Visit stroke.org.uk/iammore to make a donation.

Watch a short video about Marvin, Bethany and Marcia’s story at www.stroke.org.uk/lasa