Heywood stroke survivor donates hampers to help others this Christmas

A Heywood stroke survivor has donated 21 Christmas hampers created by himself, his friends and family, to help others affected by stroke this festive season.

Frank Clarke was inspired to create the hampers and donate to the Stroke Association, after the charity supported him and his mother in law through their recovery from strokes.

There are over 1.2 million people in the UK living with the effects of stroke, a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain.

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

Frank said: “Jean was a very independent woman but was then totally frustrated by her inability to walk, and unable to communicate with her friends and family.

“Joanne Mundey, coordinator at the Stroke Association, visited Jean’s house to assess her needs and Jean 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 children again.

“Jean looked forward so much to her Tuesday trip to the group for their weekly get together until her sad death in 2012.”

After supporting his mother-in-law with her recovery, Frank then had a stroke himself in 2015.

He added: “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, his family and friends have now donated the hampers to the Stroke Association to say “thank you” for the charity’s support. They will be distributed to families affected by stroke in the Heywood and Rochdale area this Christmas time.

Joanne Mundey, Stroke Association Support Coordinator, said: “Frank, his friends and family are examples of the amazing people we have in our area.

“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.

“We’re extremely grateful to them for all their efforts in creating and donating the hampers, it’s a wonderful gesture.”

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