Four time stroke survivor urges Leeds residents to get baking and raise some dough for charity

Leeds stroke survivor, Julie Pearson, is calling on local residents to get baking this October to raise vital funds for the Stroke Association.

Julie, 49, is supporting the charity’s Give a Hand and Bake Week, from 22 to 28 October 2018, when money will be raised through bake sales across the UK.

Julie was in hospital for nine months after surviving four strokes. One evening, Julie’s husband came home from work one evening to find her drowsy and unresponsive and she had several seizures. However it wasn’t until a month later that Julie had her first stroke, spending Christmas in hospital before having a second stroke on New Year’s Eve. Her strokes left her with limited movement in her left side and affected her communication.

Julie said: “My second stroke affected another area of my brain which really knocked me back but I carried on with my recovery. I started to get quite down but then my first grandchild was born while I was in hospital, so I had something to focus on.”

After a week Julie moved to the rehabilitation ward and was recovering well for a couple of months, until she then had another two devastating strokes. After intense physiotherapy, Julie was still unable to walk but was able to return home in August this year.

She added: “It’s been very hard to see light at the end of the tunnel, but I’m seeing improvements every day; patience really is a virtue. My journey is still going. I survived and I’m here to tell the tale.”

Now Julie is encouraging people in Leeds to raise vital funds to support stroke survivors by coming along to two bake sales she is hosting for the Stroke Association’s Give a Hand and Bake Week. She is inviting people to come along to Nu Hair Salon, High Street, Yeadon on Friday 19 October and Westrow Hair, West Park, Leeds on Saturday 27 October, to enjoy a slice of cake and a cuppa.

Julie said: “We’d love people to come and get involved with the bake sales and support Give a Hand and Bake Week, to help other stroke survivors get the support they need.”

Louise Simonian, Regional Fundraising Manager at the Stroke Association, said: “Give a Hand and Bake Week is a fun, and delicious, way to support our charity’s work. We fund research into stroke treatment and care and support stroke survivors with their recovery. This includes our latest online tool, My Stroke Guide, which provides round-the-clock advice, information and support for stroke survivors, their family and carers.

“We’d love people in Leeds to bake up a storm with friends, family or colleagues for Give a Hand and Bake. Whether you’re a baking beginner or a seasoned chef, you prefer to bake brownies for the office or hosting afternoon tea for friends and family, there are lots of ways your baking can rise to the challenge.”

Visit www.stroke.org.uk/GAH to sign up for a Give a Hand and Bake fundraising pack and to find out more about My Stroke Guide and other support offered by the Stroke Association.