​Wythenshawe woman braves ‘three jumps’ in memory of her dad

Linda Thorne, 28 from Wythenshawe, is braving three ‘Jumps for Doug’ to raise vital funds for the Stroke Association, in memory of her father who passed away after a stroke.

Linda’s dad Doug Thorne collapsed after leaving the opticians on 06 August and was told by hospital staff he’d had several strokes. However on 16 August, Doug had a major stroke which left him in intensive care and he sadly passed away 12 days later, aged just 63.

In touching memory of her dad, support worker Linda has chosen to take part in three different fundraising jumps throughout March this year; a sky dive, a shark dive and a bungee jump, all to raise money for the Stroke Association.

In the lead up to the events, Linda has enlisted the help of her alter ego, Lou Bear, who dons a purple Stroke Association jumpsuit and travels around Manchester to raise awareness of her impending challenges. She has also been creating and selling purple friendship bracelets to help her reach her fundraising targets.

Linda said: “My mum passed away in 1999 so my dad and I were very close; we both lived together and I was his shadow. The fundraising challenge is a way to have a focus and do something meaningful in my dad’s memory. I chose to do the jumps because I’m scared of heights and water, so it’s going to be a really challenge for me! I’ve never done anything like this before, apart from an abseil when I nearly passed out! I’ve always wanted to do a sky dive but this has given me a real reason to go for it.

“I’m raising funds for the Stroke Association to help other families affected by stroke to get the support they need. The charity does so much to raise awareness of this terrible condition.”

Laura McMullin, Regional Fundraiser at the Stroke Association, said: “With 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 like Linda who can raise funds for people affected by stroke. We’re really grateful to her for taking on this challenge, and will be cheering her on as she braves the three jumps.”

To sponsor Linda, visit www.justgiving.com/Lindy-Lou-3Jumps

The Stroke Association is the UK’s leading stroke charity which campaigns to improve stroke care; supports people to make the best recovery they can; and funds ground-breaking research to change the lives of people affected by stroke. For more information about stroke, visit stroke.org.uk or call the helpline on 0303 3033 100.