Hampshire schoolboy gets back on his bike thanks to the Stroke Association

An eight-year-old stroke survivor is finally enjoying his favourite hobby again, a year after a stroke left him unable to use the left side of his body.

Max Davenport, from Blackwater, had a devastating stroke last September during his seventh birthday party. Max was left with weakness down the left side of his body and spent six months in hospital recovering.

Max’s mother, Michelle Davenport, said: “We couldn’t believe Max had had a stroke. I never knew a stroke could happen to a child, and Max was so healthy and happy, I couldn’t understand why it had happened to him. Now I realise that a stroke can happen to anyone at any age. It’s so scary, and that’s why I’m passionate to raise awareness so that more parents are aware that stroke can affect children.”

This year, the Davenport family applied for a Stroke Association Life After Stroke Grant. The Stroke Association were able to provide Max with a tricycle to help him get back into his favourite hobby again.

Michelle said: “We’re so thankful to the Stroke Association for the money towards Max’s tricycle. We also owe a huge thank you Yateley and District Lions Club for donating money towards the tricycle too. 

“Max was over the moon and hasn’t stopped grinning! It’s meant so much to us to see him out with his younger sister and friends playing again. Max has been through so much in the last year and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate the milestone in his recovery than to watch him play on his tricycle. Words can’t describe how proud I am of him – he’s a real inspiration and brave little boy.”

Childhood stroke affects around five out of every 100,000 children a year in the UK.

Anna Panton, Childhood Stroke Project Manager at the Stroke Association, said: “Many people think strokes only happen to older people, so a stroke in a baby or child can come as a big shock. In fact, around 400 childhood strokes occur in the UK each year – that’s more than one a day.

“We’re thrilled to hear that Max is making a good recovery after his stroke. There's nothing more satisfying than seeing a child who's had a stroke learning to adapt and going on to reach their full potential. We look forward to hearing all about his adventures on his new tricycle!”

To find out more about Stroke Association Life After Stroke Grants, please email Grants.External@stroke.org.uk, or call our helpline on 0303 3033 100.