​Farnell staff inspired to raise funds for Stroke Association in Yorkshire after employee’s stroke

Farnell, an electronics distributor based in Leeds, has raised more than £400 for the Stroke Association, after holding a series of fundraising events for the charity.

The company was inspired to raise funds for the Stroke Association after Warehouse Operative, Jonathan (Jonty) Beever, had a stroke in 2016 which left him with communication difficulties, loss of dexterity, fatigue and cognitive issues.

Jonty contacted the Stroke Association’s Kirklees service, and the charity’s Stroke Support Coordinator Joanne Sweat-West supported him with a Life After Stroke grant to help with daily living. The charity was also able to guide Jonty to other organisations such as Citizen’s Advice and Gateway to Care, who arranged for adaptations to his home including a wet room.

Jonty is now on the road to recovery and has returned to work at Farnell, who are supporting his return to working life by allowing him to work reduced hours and take regular breaks.

Earlier this year, Jonty nominated Stroke Association as the company’s Charity of the Quarter. Staff at Farnell held raffles, cake sales and a Three Peaks challenge to raise funds for the charity. In May the Stroke Association held a ‘Know Your Blood Pressure’ event at Farnell enabling staff to get their blood pressure checked during their lunch break with over 50 employees taking advantage of the awareness session.

Denise Thurlow, Stroke Association Support Coordinator, said: “Without the fundraising efforts of companies such as Farnell, we wouldn’t be able to support the thousands people living in Yorkshire with the devastating effects of stroke, as well as their families and carers.

“We’re so pleased Jonty received such great support as he returned to work after his stroke. Work can form a big part of people’s identities and to have this taken away in an instant by a stroke can be devastating. The number of strokes among younger adults is increasing making it vital that support to help them back to work after a stroke is in place. There are significant benefits for employers who are disability aware, as it means they keep hold of experienced staff and will promote awareness amongst all their team, to provide help for employees who have experienced a stroke.”

For more information about stroke, visit stroke.org.uk or call the Helpline on 0303 3033 100.