Every day in the UK, another 240 people wake up to the catastrophic impact of a stroke.

Every raffle ticket you buy helps to support them.

Anyone – mums, dads, grandparents, young people, even children – can have a stroke, and its impact is traumatic. A stroke can leave survivors unable to move, see, speak, or even swallow, and impacts the whole family. With strength, determination and the right support, recovery is possible.

By playing our raffle, you’ll help the Stroke Association provide tailored support to tens of thousands of stroke survivors each year, fund crucial scientific research, and campaign to secure the best care and support for everyone affected by stroke.

Every day in the UK, another 240 people wake up to the catastrophic impact of a stroke.

The Stroke Association is the only charity in the UK providing lifelong support for all stroke survivors and their families.

Every time you play our raffle, you are helping us to provide that essential support to stroke survivors and their families.

Carl, stroke survivor, with his daughter, Jess

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Angharad’s story

When Angharad woke at 3.30am just days before her 32nd birthday, the room was spinning, and she couldn’t move her head off the pillow.

'I went to move my right arm and I couldn’t. I went to move my right leg and it wouldn’t move. I tried to call out to my husband Joe. The words came out slurred. I knew I was having a stroke.'

'Strokes don’t discriminate, and I never thought I would have one so young. But they can happen at any age.'

Angharad’s grandmother had multiple strokes whilst she was growing up, so she knew the FAST signs and what the symptoms of a stroke were.

'Joe jumped out of bed, turned the light on and I could tell by the horror on his face, something was wrong.'

While Angharad’s experience in A&E was horrifying – 57 hours feeling frightened, emotional and fatigued, with very little care or treatment – the level of care she received on the post-stroke ward was, in her words, 'great'.

'I had six weeks of physio and core occupational health. I had an early support discharge physio come to the house. And the life-after-stroke nurse is always on hand.'

'The Stroke Support Coordinator responded straight away with emotional support. Dave’s had a stroke as well, so it was nice speaking to someone who had that lived experience. He provided invaluable words of support and comfort. He gave me a book to help explain to my daughter what had happened, something I found difficult and emotional. He was so comforting and showed me there is light at the end of the tunnel.'

'I do see the progress I am making, and I’m determined to show my little girl how strong I am. I will run again. I will feel fit and healthy in my own body and mind.'

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Jacinta’s story

‘That conversation changed everything’

With the help of supporters like you, Jacinta overcame the impact of her stroke.

Jacinta was on holiday in October 2022 when she collapsed to the floor and realised she couldn’t use one side of her body.

‘I feel very lucky to have had wonderful fast care from the ambulance responders, says Jacinta. ‘Sadly, back home in Brentford I didn’t automatically get into their system for the Neuro Physio, and other services. This has hugely affected my mental and physical health.’

Jacinta turned to the Stroke Association’s website for help and information. That’s when she first discovered the Hounslow Stroke Recovery Service. Through this service, and with the dedicated support of her local Stroke Support Coordinator, Jacinta received the specialist, personalised care she needed to regain her independence.

‘The Stroke Association’s support was a lifeline to me,’ says Jacinta.

‘I’m immensely grateful for all the help and support I’ve received. The day I got through to the charity’s local Stroke Support Coordinator, I was feeling very lost and distressed. But that day and that conversation changed everything. I was given kind support, referrals and a lot of positivity and hope.’

‘After having a stroke, your life feels like it’s been flipped upside down in an instant. I feel very lucky to have made a good recovery. I don’t know what I’d do without the Stroke Association. I really don’t believe I’d be where I am today.’

Grace-Joy’s story

Grace-Joy is a vivacious and vibrant mentor and life coach – mother to 29-year-old O’Shaie and grandmother to eight-year-old Zahkai. She was passionate about her role as a support worker with young people and female prison inmates. But in November 2022, Grace-Joy had a significant stroke.

She was left terrified and unable to walk, talk or swallow. The road to recovery has been long and gruelling but Grace-Joy is now getting back to her life with the help of her family, the Stroke Association, and NHS therapy.

‘It took me six months to be able to say my son’s name. I couldn’t hold a cup properly for a year or walk down the street. After the stroke I was in total despair.’

Grace-Joy was referred to the Stroke Association’s Birmingham and Solihull Stroke Recovery Service by the community therapy team for additional support.

‘The help I had from my son was beautiful, and without support from the Stroke Association, I don’t know where I would be.

‘Lisa from the Stroke Association was phenomenal. I would have been lost without her. She was so encouraging and took time out of her day to help me, even when I didn’t have a scheduled appointment.’

Lisa also connected Grace-Joy to one of the Stroke Association’s trained volunteers where she had a weekly phone call with someone who understood what she was going through.

‘Speaking to another stroke survivor was a profound experience for me. The experience made me want to help others. I’m embarking on a new chapter and looking forward to this adventure. The future is bright.’

Steve, from Yeovil in Somerset, was a fit and healthy 36-year-old. Happily married and a dad-of-one, he played football, was training to run a marathon, and had one huge passion in life: gaming.

But Steve’s life changed completely one morning when he woke up with what he realised were the warning signs of a stroke. His right hand felt numb, and the feeling didn’t return. Steve’s stroke left him unable to walk or speak.

With years of hard work and determination, Steve has regained his speech and some of his mobility. He continues to battle fatigue, memory problems and right-sided weakness in his arm and leg, which makes everyday tasks challenging.

'Stroke is like a nightmare that you live. It stays with you. My arm and leg mobility can improve, but it can’t get better. As much as people smile on the outside, stroke is always there.'

Never giving up

Steve’s passion for gaming has been his motivation to come back from stroke. But his weakness in his right hand means that he can’t play games the way he used to. So Steve has developed his own way to use a games controller with his stronger left hand, as well as his chin and lips.

Steve and his family have also received support from the Stroke Association.

'They talked me through some of the questions I had. It was a lifeline to be able to talk to someone else who understood.'

You could win up to £8,000!

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