Hayes stroke survivor kicks off Make May Purple for the Stroke Association

A stroke survivor from Hayes has joined forces with other survivors in the area to form a walking football team to kick off the Stroke Association’s national awareness month: Make May Purple.

Ian Pearce, 71, had a stroke in October 2011 which affected the movement in the right hand side of his body, and left him with a communication difficulty called aphasia.

As part of his recovery, Ian joined the Stroke Association’s communication support group in Hillingdon. Apart from its focus on communication support, this group also takes part in different activities in the borough, and walking football was one of the events the group tried out last year.

The group enjoyed the experience so much the Stroke Association set up a weekly walking football group just for stroke survivors with the support of Middlesex FA and the Better Health & Leisure Centre in Hayes.

Ian said: “I’ve noticed improvement in my recovery and wellbeing since I started attending the walking football classes this year. I’ve found the exercise really helps to lift my mood and it’s nice to get back into something I enjoyed in my younger years. I was never really good at football when I was younger, but I seem to be doing a good job with walking football!”

Jacqui Guyett, Communication Support Coordinator for the Stroke Association in Hillingdon, said: “Ian and the walking football team are proof that there is a life after stroke and that exercise really can do wonders for your wellbeing. Regular exercise can reduce your risk of stroke by a quarter, and activities like walking football are great for people who find it harder to move around. Ian has become a committed member of the group and he attends every week wearing the shirt of his beloved football team, Nottingham Forest!”

Make May Purple for Stroke is back and the Stroke Association is calling on people across Hillingdon to join thousands of other supporters and go purple to show their support for people who have been affected by stroke.

Across the UK, more than a million people are rebuilding their lives after stroke. By supporting Make May Purple you are can help us to make sure stroke gets the attention it deserves and to raise vital funds for innovative research into stroke care and treatment. To find out more about this year’s Make May Purple and how you can get involved, please visit www.stroke.org.uk/makemaypurple

The walking football team meet every Tuesday from 12:30 – 1:30pm at Botwell Green Sports and Leisure Centre and it is £2 per session. For more information about joining the team, please contact Jacqui Guyett on 07515 596 959 or email Jacqui.Guyett@stroke.org.uk