Bank backs stroke runner

Adam Veevers was just 28 when he suffered a stroke.

Luckily for the Sainsbury’s fishmonger, his girlfriend’s dad called round to his Leeds flat on the off chance he was in and found him in a confused state.

“He realised something wasn’t right and got Adam help straight away,” says Adam’s brother Luke, 35, from Woodlesford, near Leeds.

“I dread to think what would have happened if Luke had been by himself.

At the time doctors thought the stroke may have been related to the fact that Adam was taking Warfarin due to a small hole in his heart.

But during a routine check up this year they discovered he also had a large aneurism and had to operate for a second time.

“In some ways he was lucky as the aneurism could have burst at any time,” says Luke.

Adam is still recovering from the stroke which happened in February last year. He has some weakness down one side and still spends some time in hospital, but he is trying to get his life back to normal.

“He has really inspired me,” says Luke. “He is improving everyday, however his life will never be the same again. He and his fiancée have moved into a new flat, his employers have been fantastic and kept his job open. His determination has really inspired me.” He was so inspired by his brother’s fight that he has entered the London Marathon with the aim of raising £2,500 for the Stroke Association on Sunday April 21.

The training consultant for Barclays Bank said: “I have always wanted to run the London Marathon and think that this cause is the one that will motivate me to raise as much money as possible.”

All the money raised will be matched by Barclays Bank plc, and will go towards stroke research and supporting stroke survivors.

“As well as raising money I want to raise awareness that stroke can happen to anyone at any age and also that having a healthy lifestyle can reduce your chances of suffering a stroke,” says Luke. “It is vital that people know the symptoms.”

Shaun Sykes, 46, of Staincross, Barnsley, suffered a stroke last year and when started to feel unwell he knew what was happening to him.

He has had seen the Act FAST (face, arms, speech, time) campaign, and so knew what the problem was straight away and asked his wife to call an ambulance.

Shaun, an engineer, said: “I woke up and felt really thirsty, so got up to get a drink.

“I felt my face and arm go funny, and I knew what was up straight away.

“I’d seen the Act FAST campaign on the TV and so I knew I had to get to hospital as soon as possible.

“I woke my wife up and she dialled 999, ” he added.

Shaun was brought to Barnsley Hospital where he stayed for five days.

Now, after a five-month recovery, Shaun is back at work, and helping Barnsley Hospital in their new Act FASTER campaign.

Donna Goddard, a specialist stroke nurse in Barnsley,said: “A stroke is a medical emergency that can hit anyone of any age at any time, and you can save lives by acting quickly.”

Association expands NHS campaign

The Stroke Association supports the 12,980 people in Leeds who are living with the effects of stroke, as well as their families and carers.

Donations can be pledged online – at www.justgiving.com/Luke-Veevers.

Anyone with a place in the London Marathon who would like to join the Stroke Association’s team, is asked to contact the Association on 0207 940 1344.

The Act FASTER campaign builds on the NHS’s Act FAST campaign and is running across the whole of the North Trent region.

More details are online – at www.nhs.uk/actfast/pages/stroke.aspx