Stratford fundraiser scoops national award

Stratford resident Marcia Holmes, has been awarded a Life After Stroke Award for fundraising after she and her siblings brought in over £27,000 for the Stroke Association. She was presented with her 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.

Marcia, 32, was inspired to support the charity after her mother Jean collapsed at her wedding last year, and died the following day from a stroke. After the shock of the tragedy, her grandmother Audrey also had a stroke on the day of her daughter’s funeral.

Marcia 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. My wedding ceremony was the happiest moment in my life, but it happened on what became the saddest day of my life.

“What is keeping me going is that mum had a really good party on her last day and was the happiest I’ve ever seen her. I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye, but the evening before the wedding I gave her a card and in that message I wrote everything I needed to say to her. She knew how much I loved her and we had such an amazing morning together.

“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, Marcia and her siblings Marvin and Bethany, 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.

Marcia 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 Marcia, Marvin and Bethany for their award said: “I nominated Marcia and her siblings 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.

“Marcia, Marvin and Bethany 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 Marcia, Marvin and Bethany 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.”

Marcia, Marvin and Bethany 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