My mum had a massive stroke at the age of 66, the day after my sister gave birth to a much longed for son, Oliver by caesarian section. I was in Devon visiting friends at the time and rang my sister Claire to speak to her for the first time since she gave birth. We cried with joy, as I knew how precious her baby was to her. Then I realised she couldn't stop crying and asked what was wrong. She told me that mum was in hospital having had a suspected stroke, and they weren't sure if she would pull through.

I headed straight home the next day, picking my younger sister up at Bristol on the way. It was the longest car journey ever, and we cried most of the way home. Seeing mum, and my dad, in hospital, and feeling so helpless is something i will never forget.

That was 4 years ago, and now mum is in a home full time, and can't speak, has lost use of her right side, has a stomach peg as she struggles to swallow and is doubley incontinent.

My dad visits her nearly every day, and she loves seeing myself and my sisters and her three grandsons. We effectively lost a wife, mum and nana that day.  It changed all our lives irrevocably, and nothing is going to make it better.

I am doing this challenge to raise awareness and money for the Stroke Association. Look for the signs of stroke if someone close to you feels ill. It is vital that the signs are recognised as soon as possible to reduce the efects of the stroke. All the information is on the website. It will take you 2 minutes to read it, and you could save someones life.

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