In January 2025, my lovely Dad (Andy) suffered a major stroke, changing all of our lives instantly.

We had just returned from a family ski holiday where my Dad had some vision changes and spells of dizziness during our trip. 2 days later, he was unwell with sickness and had lost his balance. My Mum rang 111, not expecting it to be anything significant, and after a quick visit to Solihull hospital, he was on his way to Warwick hospital to A&E. A long wait and scans established he had suffered a stroke and had been suffering from TIAs leading up to this. Everything changed the next morning when my Mum had a phone call to say he was having seizures and that he would need emergency surgery to stabilise him. A blood clot was removed and my Dad was put into an induced coma.

After this, my Dad was looked after in ICU for a month, before transferring to the neurology ward for 3 months, he went on to spend 6 months in rehab.

During his hospital stay, especially during the first few months, we were told to prepare for the worst. We were told that my Dad might never walk, talk or gain any previous memories. Many months of support from the wonderful hospital staff allowed him to re-learn to walk and talk independently.

The typical symptoms experienced weren’t those that you would expect of a stroke. My Dad’s main symptoms were changes to his balance and eyesight, rather than the usual FAST (Face, Arm, Speech and Time) symptoms that I had learnt about previously.

Due to the significant brain damage, my Dad will always have difficulty with day to day tasks that we all take for granted. His memory and vision have been profoundly impacted, but he isn’t giving in. He loves going for his daily walk, enjoys socialising, now runs and plays walking football.

Life has been challenging for all of us, but my Dad’s strength and determination push us all on. My Dad is now home and supported by my Mum, myself and my sister. Everyday my Dad still makes me laugh and tells us some amazing stories. Little milestones have become big celebrations, celebrating Christmas, birthdays and Father’s Day this year, being well enough to board a plane, all are days we celebrate Dad and how far he has come.

The support we received from friends, family, hospitals and support groups has helped us adjust as a family. We will be forever grateful for this.

I want to highlight awareness and to raise as much money as we can, to help support research into strokes and hopefully help other families and stroke survivors with their recovery, whether they are at the start of their journey or in the same situation as my family.

Through my new role as head coach of Blythe Barracudas’, it seemed a great opportunity to host the Club Colours charity gala day solely to raise funds for the Stroke Association.

On 18th July we will have 80+ Blythe swimmers competing in teams to raise money for Stroke Association. In September 2026 I will be taking part in the Wolf Run to raise even more money for Stroke association. This is just the beginning of my fundraising journey - a small gesture to say a BIG thank you and to show my gratitude to all who have supported Dad on his road to recovery.

Please consider donating to my GoFundMe page where we hope to raise £2000 for patients and families that are living with a stroke, this would mean the world to my Mum, Dad and family.

Thank you for supporting a cause so close to my heart.