The treatment of stroke has been greatly improved by the advent of the Hyperacute stroke service (a specialist centre to manage the first 72 hours of stroke care) at University College Hospital, providing prompt access to clot-busting drugs (thrombolysis). However, for some individuals with large blood clots blocking major arteries to the brain this treatment is not effective.

The team at the stroke unit are leading the way in neurovascular research and treatment by offering thrombectomy to people who have suffered an ischaemic stroke. However, currently this treatment is available to just 25 patients a year.

The aim is to establish a 24/7 stroke service in Queen Square to service the population of 4m in and around north London. This alone, however, would only double the number of patients able to access this service. By introducing the new interventional neuroradiology service for stroke the number of patients that could be treated would raise to up to 400 per year.

The good news is that we're more than three-quarters of the way to our target  – and with your generous support we can reach our goal and help to improve the prospects for many more people affected by stroke.