Local stroke survivor and community come together for Step Out for Stroke

27^th April 2015

Local stroke survivor and community come together for Step Out for Stroke

Richard Wright and his family, from Aylesbury, will be Stepping out for Stroke at a fundraising walk in Kingsbury Square on the 16^th May 2015, just over two years after his stroke. The local community is also supporting the walk with Sainsbury providing water and bananas and St Mary’s Church opening its doors and laying on refreshments for participants, friends and family.

The Step out for Stroke is a family fundraising event in which people can set their own challenge. The walk is wheelchair accessible and suitable for any level of walking ability. Participants can walk at their own pace, in their own time. 72% of all stroke survivors have leg weakness after their stroke and many have to learn to walk again. Often the Step out for Stroke is the first steps they take in public.

Richard who has just turned 58, had a stroke two years ago just before his birthday. The stroke caused weakness down the leftside.  He still has fairly significant physical disabilities and suffers fatigue.  Despite these disabilities Richard is quite active in general; he is involved in a very dynamic stroke support group and goes to the gym independently via Dial-a-Ride - the charity-based taxi type independent transport facility. 

Richard and his family received support from the Stroke Association after his stroke and are now keen to help with raising awareness of the impact of stroke and raise funds to help the charity support other stroke survivors. Richard adds, “We will be walking on the 16^th May and are recruiting family and friends to join us.  The walk takes place in Action on Stroke Month and gives me a chance to celebrate with my family how far I have come in 2 years. I also hope to walk the entire distance which, if I do, will be the furthest I have walked since my stroke and that will be a huge personal achievement for me and spur me on to even greater things, which I hope will, in turn, inspire other survivors to do the same.  All recovery from stroke starts with one step. I am continuing this theme with this walk towards much greater things and much of this is as a result of help from some very talented and special people from organisations such as the Stroke Association.”

Michelle Bowdidge from the Stroke Association said, “A stroke happens in an instant but its effects can last a lifetime.  Step out for Stroke is a fun walk and often a celebration for many stroke survivors. Every step makes a difference, and we want Step out for Stroke 2015 to be our biggest year yet. We are so grateful to Richard, his family and the local community for being so supportive of this event.”

If you want to join us in Aylesburyyou can find out more information on Step out for Stroke and to enter the walk, visit www.stroke.org.uk/stepout

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For interviews, photographs or more information, please contact Cheryl Randeria on 07810 697957