Hi! So on the 26th of May I'm going to be swimming a mile to raise money for the Stroke Association. At the moment I'm a bit nervous as just getting my wetsuit on knackers me out and the last time I went in a river I had to be rescued by a kayaker (probably my most embarrassing moment so far)...but I'm optimistic and have started training hard, promise!

The Association funds research, provides support for stroke victims and funds training for doctors, nurses and therapists to specialise in stroke care. Their ability to do this depends entirely on fundraising, so please make a donation if you can :).

Someone suffers a stroke every 5 minutes in the UK. It's the third most common cause of death and the leading cause of disability. A stroke is a medical emergency and recognising the symptoms quickly is key for increasing the chances of survival and recovery. So please read the information below, it could make a difference one day.

Thanks for taking the time to visit and any donations!

 

The FAST test identifies around 9 out of 10 strokes:

Face: their face might have dropped on one side, they may not be able to smile or their mouth or eye might be drooped.

Arms: they may not be able to lift one or both arms and keep them there because of arm weakness or numbness.

Speech: their speech may be slurred or garbled, or they may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake.

Time: to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms.

Other symptoms can include:

- Sudden and severe headache, unlike any the person has had before

- Vomiting

- Sudden loss of vision

- Dizziness/problems with balance and coordination