Press release -
Eight-year-old Jess from Bristol wins Stroke Association competition singing her own song
An eight-year-old Bristol girl has been hailed a fundraising superstar after penning her own song for the Stroke Association’s #Sing4Stroke challenge.
Jess Spencer, who lives in Horfield, even created her own music video starring her some of her friends to go with her aptly titled song ‘Friendship Heroes’.
It won the Best Original Song category of the Stroke Association’s fundraiser which ran during Stroke Awareness Month in May. Jess received a medal and a trophy in the shape of a golden microphone.
#Sing4Stroke encouraged people across the UK to raise their voices, and vital funds, to support stroke survivors and their families. Participants were invited to sing wherever they like, from living rooms to livestreams, schools to workplaces, or by organising their own events.
Jess said: “I wanted to help raise money and also really wanted to have friends help with that. I wrote the song to show how important friendship is. I am very pleased to have won and want to say thank you to my friends for helping me."
You can enjoy Jess’s song on YouTube here: enjoy here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aU305RJQ5A&t=1s
Despite her young age, Jess has already taken part in a number of fundraising activities for the Stroke Association and has so far raised more than £1,500.
Each year, around 100,000 people in the UK experience a stroke. A third of stroke survivors are left with aphasia, a language and communication disability. Singing has been shown to be a powerful recovery tool, particularly for those with speech difficulties.
Jess Parkin, Mass Participation Officer at the Stroke Association, said: “Every stroke is different and so is every recovery, but we know that singing after stroke can help improve communication skills and emotional wellbeing.
“We’re so grateful to Jess for taking on our Sing4Stroke challenge and not just writing a song but also creating a wonderful music video with her friends. By getting involved, people like Jess and her friends are helping us make a real difference in the lives of over 1.4 million stroke survivors across the UK.”
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Over 90,000 people survive a stroke every year in the UK, but surviving a stroke is just the start of a long and traumatic battle to finding their way back to life.
The Stroke Association is the only charity in the UK providing life-long support for all stroke survivors and their families. We provide tailored support to tens of thousands of stroke survivors each year, fund vital scientific research, and campaign to bring the best care and support for everyone affected by stroke.
Anyone affected by stroke can visit stroke.org.uk or call our dedicated Stroke Support Helpline on 0303 3033 100 for information, guidance or a chat when times are tough.
