​Sunderland beauty queen helps to conquer stroke

Sunderland beauty queen, Anya Gould, has chosen to support the Stroke Association ahead of competing in two international competitions, after her stepfather had a stroke.

Anya, 21, from South Bents, won the Miss Sunderland title in 2013 and went on to be placed fourth in Miss Great Britain 2014/2015. Now she is preparing to compete to be crowned Miss International UK and Miss Intercontinental England on Saturday 18 July and Sunday 19 July at the Park Hall Hotel, Lancashire.

Anya was inspired to support the Stroke Association as her chosen charity, after her stepfather, Ray Stephenson, had a stroke in 2013, which left him with loss of vision and weakness in his left hand side. Ray was supported by the Stroke Association’s Family and Carer Support Service during his recovery.

Anya visited the Stroke Association team on Monday 13 July to meet the charity’s staff and discuss fundraising opportunities over the coming months, which will see her take part in the Stroke Association’s Halloween Zip Wire for her first challenge.

Anya said: “I’ve chosen to support the Stroke Association to help them continue supporting stroke survivors to make their best possible recovery, as they come to terms with a life after stroke. My stepdad Ray was supported by Brenda Walker at the Stroke Association and it made a huge difference during his recovery. He likes to keep busy but as he was unable to work after his stroke, he seemed lost. The Stroke Association helped to give gave him a purpose again and built his confidence.

“It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to get involved with charity work and I’m hoping I can help to make a real difference. I don’t think people understand how much goes into pageants. I want to be a role model and encourage other young people to do more for charities and their communities.”

Brenda Walker, Assistant Regional Manager at the Stroke Association, added:

“There are 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 to help raise funds and awareness. We’re really grateful to Anya for choosing to support the Stroke Association and help to raise awareness of this devastating condition. Together we can conquer stroke.”

From the UK finals, four lucky winners will be crowned. The overall winner will take home the title of Miss International-UK, winning a trip to Japan to compete in the Miss International final. Three winners will also be crowned for Miss Intercontinental, from England, Scotland and Wales, and will go on to represent their country in the international Miss Intercontinental final.

The Stroke Association provides a Family and Carer Support Service in Sunderland, in partnership with Sunderland Clinical Commissioning Group.

In the North East over 5,500 people have a stroke every year and over 16,200 people in the area are living with a disability after a stroke. For more information about stroke, visit www.stroke.org.uk or call the Helpline on 0303 303 3100.