​Stroke survivor calls on people to help him in his hopping mad challenge

A Bedminster stroke survivor is calling on people in Bristol to help him conquer a hopping mad challenge on Saturday 31 October at Kip Keino Stadium, to raise vital funds for Stroke Association.

Martin Mienczakowski, 31, is looking for a team of volunteers to witness his Guinness World Record attempt for the furthest distance travelled on a space hopper in twenty-four hours.

On Christmas Day in 2009, Martin, a Research Assistant at Bristol University, had a devastating stroke. At the time of his stroke Martin was ringing the church bells at his local Christmas service when he began to feel ill. Thinking he was having a migraine Martin decided to drive back home to his parents’ house, where after a couple of hours his health deteriorated.

Martin’s parents got increasingly concerned and rushed him to the hospital, where it was confirmed he had had a stroke.

Martin said: “Stroke has had such a huge impact on my whole family. After my stroke in 2009, my Grandfather went on to have a stroke five years later. For me, my recovery has been extremely emotional. I experienced depression and anxiety which I feel has been the major barriers to my recovery.

“During my recovery I was confronted with a number of things that people said I wouldn’t or shouldn’t be able to do again, like going back to work full- time for example. In overcoming these hurdles I have had to develop a philosophy of working out how I can do things rather than dwelling on why I can’t do them. Since my stroke I have represented England in a new sport, completed a wilderness walk, written a book, and started a blog about my recovery.”

“Breaking a world record is the ultimate challenge for me. The current world record is set at eight kilometres, so I have a lot hopping to do! To make the world record official I need a group of independent witnesses who don’t know me, to be there on the day. I’m hoping to get the support from local residents on the day to help me conquer this challenge for the Stroke Association.”

Amy Spencer, Fundraising Manager at the Stroke Association, said: “With around 152,000 strokes a year in the UK – that’s around one every three and a half minutes – it is vital that we have people who can raise funds for people affected by stroke. We’re incredibly grateful to Martin for taking on this challenge; the money will go a long way in helping to support people who are living with the effects of stroke, as well as their families and carers.”

If you’d like to support Martin in his challenge on Saturday 31 October at Kip Keino Stadium, please get in touch with him directly on: 07445 231 712

To sponsor Martin please visit: www.justgiving.com/martin-mienczakowski1