​Stockport woman and friends raise £1,550 for the Stroke Association

A Stockport resident has raised more than £1,550 for the Stroke Association by completing Rough Runner in Altrincham.

Samantha Bowler, 25, from Offerton, was inspired to take on the gruelling challenge for the charity after her father had a stroke in December 2016.

Samantha’s dad Nick had a stroke caused by a bleed on his brain.

Samantha said: “Doctors were unsure if my dad would survive the operation he needed, but we knew that without it, he would never fully recover. After his surgery, he gained consciousness and could say few words. The surgeon couldn’t believe how far he had come. He has since smashed every goal through sheer determination,including his own goal of tying his shoelaces with his left hand.

“I wanted to raise funds for the Stroke Association, due to the support the charity has given to my dad since his stroke. He walks miles to get to the Stockport Stroke Support Group every week, which has given him the motivation to continue his recovery. He has met other stroke survivors who have inspired him and keep him positive. He has also joined the gym and walks miles to get there and back, always refusing any offers of a lift.”

An office manager at T.W.Bowler LTD in Stockport, Samantha teamed up with her friends to complete the Rough Runner in Altrincham in October, a combination of distance running with epic obstacles on the way.

Samantha added: “The weather was horrendous, with bitter gale-force winds, rain, freezing cold, and knee-deep mud. However, the obstacles were brilliant and all in all it was an amazing day. One of our team members also drastically cut his hair which was down to the bottom of his back, to ‘nearly shaved’ length to raise extra money. And the fact my dad came to support us on the day was the icing on the cake.”

Rebecca Owen, Community and Events Fundraiser at the Stroke Association, said: “With around 1.2 million people across the UK living with the devastating impact of stroke, it is vital that we have people like Samantha and the team from T.W.Bowler LTD to raise funds and help us conquer stroke. We’re really grateful to them for their amazing efforts. The money raised will help the charity fund vital research, support people affected and prevent stroke.”

For more information about stroke, contact the Helpline on 0303 30 33 100 or visit www.stroke.org.uk.