Press release -
Brave mum takes to the skies to raise funds for the Stroke Association
A stroke survivor from Bournemouth is gearing up for a skydiving challenge on Saturday 16 July in a bid to raise vital funds for the Stroke Association.
Faye Wright, 39, from Verwood, will be facing her fear of heights as she takes part in a skydive at Netheravon airfield camp, to help raise awareness stroke.
Faye had a stroke in 1998 at the age of 21. After a series of migraines, Faye woke up one morning unable to speak and struggled to walk. When Faye’s mum visited that morning, Faye collapsed to the floor.
Following her stroke, Faye spent a week in intensive care and was left with weakness in the left side of her body as well as severe communication difficulties.
Faye now works for the Stroke Association as a Communication Support Coordinator in Bournemouth. Faye said: “This will be my first skydive the thought of it sends a shiver down my spine. At the same time, I’m feeling really excited and know it will be an amazing experience.
“At 21 years old my life changed forever. After I had my stroke, my balance was so bad that I was constantly terrified I’d fall. I would worry that I’d fall out of bed, or off the pavement. I couldn’t walk over a bridge or even face watching heights on the television.
“My basic recovery took about five years. I decided to go back to University to get a degree, and in 2008 I started working for the Stroke Association.
“I meet so many inspirational stroke survivors on a daily basis, who continue to prove that there is life after stroke. I want to do this skydive to not only conquer my fear of heights, but to hopefully inspire others to taking on a challenge for a brilliant charity!”
Amy Spencer, Fundraising Manager from the Stroke Association said, “Faye is braver than most for taking part in a skydive and we’re thrilled that she’s chosen to raise funds for the Stroke Association as she makes the leap.
“We are a charity that relies on people like Faye. The funds she’s raising will go a long way in helping to prevent strokes and reduce their effect through campaigning, education and research. We wish Faye all the luck with her sky dive!”
To support Faye and to donate to the Stroke Association visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/faye-wright2
For more information about stroke, visit www.stroke.org.uk or call our helpline on 0303 303 3100
Topics
A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain. There are around 152,000 strokes in the UK every year and it is one of the largest causes of disability. There are over 1.2 million people in the UK living with the effects of stroke.
Stroke Association is a charity. We believe in life after stroke and together we can conquer stroke. We work directly with stroke survivors and their families and carers, with health and social care professionals and with scientists and researchers. We campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best recovery they can. We fund research to develop new treatments and ways of preventing stroke. The Stroke Helpline (0303 303 3100) provides information and support on stroke. More information can be found at www.stroke.org.uk
