​Heywood stroke survivor donates hampers to help others this Christmas

A Heywood stroke survivor and his wife have donated 37 Christmas hampers created by themselves, friends and family, to help rebuild lives after stroke this festive season.

Frank Clarke and his wife Yvonne were inspired to create the hampers and donate to the Stroke Association, after the charity supported Frank, and Yvonne’s mother through their recovery from strokes.

Yvonne’s mother Jean Pullan had a massive stroke aged 57, which left her unable to walk unaided and unable to speak without prompting.

Yvonne said: “My mum was a very independent woman and was left frustrated by her inability to walk and communicate with her friends and family. Joanne Mundey, coordinator at the Stroke Association, visited mum’s house to assess her needs and she began attending the charity’s Rochdale Communication Support Group.

“Through attending the group, she met people in the same situation as her and found herself bonding with others who had been struck down with this debilitating condition. Her target was learning to say the names of family members and with the assistance of Joanne and her group, she quickly learned how to say the names of her family again. Mum looked forward so much to her Tuesday trip to the group for their weekly get together until she passed away in 2012.”

After supporting his mother in law with her recovery from stroke, Yvonne’s husband Frank then had a stroke himself in 2015.

Frank said: “Because of the information Joanne and the Stroke Association had given us, we were very aware of the signs and symptoms. My wife got me to Fairfield Hospital within 20 minutes and I was fortunate to make a speedy and full recovery.”

Frank, Yvonne, his family and friends have now donated the hampers to the Stroke Association to say thank you for the charity’s support and distribute to families affected by stroke in the Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale area this Christmas time.

Joanne Mundey, Stroke Association Support Coordinator, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Frank, Yvonne and friends for all their efforts in creating and donating these wonderful hampers to help rebuild lives after stroke. We will be distributing the hampers among stroke survivors and their families in the next few days and hoping to spread some joy at what can be a difficult time for many people, both financially and emotionally.”

The Stroke Association provides a Life After Stroke Service in Rochdale, in partnership with Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group. For more information about stroke, ring the Helpline on 0303 30 33 100 or visit www.stroke.org.uk.