<div>First and foremost, thank you.
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<div>Before anything else, Steve and his family want to say how incredibly grateful we are for the support that was shown through the original GoFundMe which generated so much earlier this year. The generosity, messages, shares, and encouragement meant a huge amount during a particularly challenging period.
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<div>Because of your support, Steve was able to access advanced treatments, specialist rehabilitation, and additional support services that simply would not have been possible otherwise. Those donations made a real difference to his recovery. He can now walk short distances unassisted, has made clear improvements with his speech and language, and has even been able to return to doing some weather forecasts on his popular <a href="https://www.facebook.com/stevewall69" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kent Weather page</a> via assistive technology, something he has always loved doing.
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<div>While the progress so far has been incredible, the reality is that Steve still faces significant challenges. He has suffered a permanent and considerable loss of vision, has no functional use of his right arm, and continues to experience difficulties with speech. Alongside this, he is also dealing with the emotional impact and depression that so often follows a life-changing stroke, something that is not always visible but is just as real.
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<div>This follow-up fundraiser is about continuing the progress that your support made possible, while also helping to raise awareness of the long-term realities of stroke recovery.
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<div>Funds raised will go towards:
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<div><strong>For Steve:</strong>
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<div>- Specialist personal training and neurological rehabilitation, particularly to improve strength and movement in his arms and legs
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<div>- Additional speech and language therapy
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<div>- Exploring brain stimulation and electrode-based therapies, which may help both physical recovery and mental wellbeing
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<div><strong>For Charity:</strong>
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<div>We also want to use this fundraiser to give something back.
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<div>A portion of all donations will be shared with two charities that have been invaluable throughout this journey:
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<div><a href="https://www.kab.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Kent Association for the Blind</a> who have supported Steve from the moment of diagnosis and continue to help him adapt to life with vision loss
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<div><a href="https://carersek.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carers Support East Kent</a> who have provided essential support to my step-mum, who has become my dad’s full-time carer while also caring for two teenage children
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<div>Stroke does not just affect the person who has it. It impacts partners, carers, children, and entire families, often without warning. The support these charities provide has made a huge difference.
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<div><strong>London Marathon 2026</strong>
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<div>I’m Harry, Steve’s son, and in 2026 I will be running the London Marathon as a way to promote this fundraiser and raise money for my dad and the charities that have supported his family. It has always been a personal goal of mine, but the events of the past year mean it represents something much bigger – and it seems like a twist of fate that this should be the first time that I’ve been able to enter this event after 10 years of applying.
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<div>What I want more than anything is for Steve to regain enough function to once again play the games he used to enjoy with my four-year-old daughter, his granddaughter. She adores her grandad and finds it hard to understand why things are different now, but every step forward in his recovery helps bring back a sense of normality for us all.
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<div>Thank you again to everyone who donates, shares, or supports us. What you have already helped make possible has changed our lives, and we are deeply grateful.
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<div><strong><em>***just to let you know, GoFundMe appear to be making 'monthly donations' the default option on the fundraiser. Please remember to untick this if you do decide to make a donation as we certainly don't expect monthly contributions - I can't remove this functionality from my end - sorry!***</em></strong>
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alex norris

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Claire Luker

Carol Stevens

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Simone Stevens

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London Marathon for My Dad's Stroke Recovery & Local Charity

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