Grandparent’s stroke inspires Peterborough sisters to walk over 27 hours for stroke

Peterborough sisters Emily (20) and Hayley (24) Shipton dubbed as ‘Team Blister Sisters’ raised £2,100 for the Stroke Association after  completing  the 100km Thames Path Challenge, walking over 27 hours non-stop from Putney to Henley to raise vital funds for the charity.

The sisters started the walk on Saturday 13 September, and completed the walk on Sunday in memory of their Nan who passed away from a stroke two years ago, and their Grandad who is recovering from his third stroke.

Emily said: “Stroke has hit our family hard. We know the huge impact a stroke can have on someone’s life, and their family. My Granddad recently had a third stroke in July. His mobility and speech have been affected but we’re all really proud of the great recovery he has made. I remember visiting my Grandad in hospital and seeing the other people in the ward at that time; most unable to speak or move which we both found really heartbreaking.  Something that also stuck with me and my sister is the fact that there were also young stroke survivors on the ward too.”

Emily and Hayley took 27 hours and 48 minutes to walk the 100km Thames Path Challenge from Putney to Henley. Emily adds, “The walk was harder than we expected. At 30km I strained the back of my left knee, which was really painful as I had no choice but to keep on walking. Thankfully there was help on hand to give me massages along the way. The best feeling was seeing our family cheer us on as we reached the finish line!

As I work for the Royal Mail in their Peterborough Mail Office, it meant that anything I raised would be match funded by them after the Royal Mail chose the Stroke Association as their Charity of the Year. I was so happy that the money raised would be match funded and go towards the Stroke Association so they can continue to help stroke survivors and their families in life after stroke.”

The Stroke Association was chosen as Royal Mail Group’s Charity of the Year after receiving almost 40,000 staff votes. The company aims to raise at least £2 million for the Stroke Association over the course of the partnership. Every penny raised will help the charity provide Life After Stroke grants of up to £300 to help 10,000 stroke survivors. These grants fund equipment to give stroke survivors more independence and support as they take their first steps back into the community.
 

George Burroughs, Community and Events Fundraising Manager from the Stroke Association in the East of England said: “There are around 152,000 strokes a year in the UK – that’s around one every three and a half minutes. We’re so thankful that people like Emily and Hayley are raising funds to ensure we can be there for more families affected by stroke.”