Godalming stroke survivor invites people to Give a Hand and Bake for the Stroke Association

Godalming stroke survivor and baker, George Thomopoulos, is calling on local residents to roll up their sleeves, grab a mixing bowl and bake to raise vital funds for stroke survivors.

The Stroke Association’s fundraising initiative,Give a Hand and Bake, calls on people across the South East to host their own bake sale, all with the aim of raising some serious dough. The money raised will help fund world-leading research that will help to save lives and change the story for stroke survivors.

This year, thousands of people across the UK will be donning their aprons for Give a Hand and Bake Week, which runs from 23 to 29 October 2017.

Among them is George Thomopoulos, 70,who had a stroke in June 2009. George has been baking most of his life, and was a Managing Director of a baking company when he had a stroke. The stroke left George unable to speak, read or write, and he was paralysed down the right side of his body as a result.

George said; “I felt completely fit and healthy at the time of my stroke. I loved to surf, I played rugby, and spent any other spare time I had in the kitchen baking. At the time of my stroke I’d just come home from travelling around the world with my company, when I collapsed on the bedroom floor.

“Thankfully I had great support and help with my rehabilitation. I taught myself how to speak, read and write again, and by 2011 I had built up the strength to get back on my surf board. One thing I couldn’t live without is baking and I soon realised that this could be key to my recovery. Kneading dough, weighing ingredients and mixing them to make a cake meant that I was working the right side of my body which was still weak from my stroke. I now bake every single day, and have built quite a fan club of family and friends who get to sample what comes out of my kitchen!”

Tara Galloway, Lead for South East Coastat the Stroke Association, said: “Across the UK, more than a million people like George are rebuilding their lives after stroke. By taking part in Give a Hand and Bake, you could help people who have been affected by stroke get their lives back on track.

“As a charity dependent upon funds, we’d love people in the South Eastto have some fun and bake up a storm with friends, family or colleagues this autumn. It doesn’t matter if you’re a baking beginner or a seasoned chef, join us and let’s get stuck in with Give a Hand and Bake.

“Whether you prefer to bake brownies for the office or host an afternoon tea party with friends and family, there are lots of ways you can bake up a storm and rise to fundraising success. The money raised will go a long way to funding innovative research into stroke care and treatment.”

Visit www.stroke.org/GAH to find out more about how you can get involved in Give a Hand and Bake, and help to change the story for stroke survivors.