Eight Glasgow sisters organise charity event in memory of loving father

Alana Geddes and her seven sisters lost their dad to a Covid-related stroke in November 2020. And now, they have come together to host a Gala dinner to increase awareness of stroke and to raise funds for the Stroke Association in Scotland.

Their father, John Geddes, a former billposter man, was a kind-hearted and loving father who always put others first. He and his wife brought up two disabled daughters, he supported other family members with mental health issues and would go shopping to help elderly neighbours. What happened next seemed so unfair.

During lockdown, the whole family caught Covid as did John, then 63 years old. He was badly affected by it and ended up in a high dependency unit with Covid symptoms, which was then followed by a massive stroke.

Alana Geddes, one of the daughters organising the event said:

“Despite the pressures on the NHS at the time, staff did an amazing job of looking after dad as well as ourselves.

“He got to FaceTime family and even joked with my brother in law about the football. As he deteriorated, dad got to be in the same room with me (I was unwell with with Covid at that time.) We spoke about how proud all his girls were of him and I thanked him for everything he had done for us. John passed away on 30 November 2020. He spent five days fighting.”

Seeing how tough having a stroke is and watching their father deteriorate with the stroke, made the family decide to give to the Stroke Association. In August they will organise a Gala dinner for family and friends starting with Bingo, followed by a buffet with a raffle.  They have already sold 150 tickets with more donations on their way.

Alana says,

“We are raising funds for the Stroke Association as we saw how fantastic Dad's stroke care was, at a very difficult time during the pandemic. We, as a family hope that by raising awareness of stroke, more people will know the signs of a stroke, and treat it as an emergency – so vital for stroke recovery. Any funds we raise will help other stroke survivors and families get support they require.”

Alana is a stroke nurse herself and has worked in the field for six years.

She says:

“Although I understand stroke from a professional view, it is quite different experiencing it as a family member. I feel our situation with dad has made me a better nurse.”

Madeline Donnelly, Relationship Fundraiser for the Stroke Association in Scotland said:

“It is truly amazing what Alana and her family are doing to support the charity. Having already donated funds to the charity, we’re delighted to have their continued support of our work. Funds raised will go towards raising awareness of stroke and supporting more people affected by stroke, so they rebuild their lives again”

To support the Geddes Gala event, please go on to their Justgiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alana-geddes