Gareth is the kind of person who would do anything for anyone. A devoted dad to Jack, a loving husband and a very loyal friend.

Overnight everything changed.

Gareth suffered a devastating stroke that turned our world upside down. One minute we were living our normal life - school runs, football matches, family time - and the next we were in hospital surrounded by machines, consultants and words no family ever want to hear.

Since that day, Gareth has endured surgeries, long hospital stays and intensive neuro-rehabilitation. He is fighting every single day to regain the things most of us take for granted, movement, speech, independence - normality. Watching someone you love work so hard just to do the smallest things is both heartbreaking and inspiring.

Gareth has severe aphasia and apraxia. Aphasia means Gareth’s ability to communicate has been dramatically affected. He knows what he wants to say - but the words won’t come out. Imagine having your thoughts trapped inside your own mind for 8 months. Apraxia means his brain struggles to send the right messages to his body especially for speech and movement. It’s not that he doesn’t understand - it’s that his brain and body aren’t communicating properly. Gareth is still Gareth - his personality, his humour, his love for us - but everything takes immense effort.

Gareth’s recovery will be long. It will require ongoing specialist therapy:- speech and language, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and neurological support. Progress is slow and hard earned.

Sadly speech and language therapy is a postcode lottery and we have been informed that there isn’t a lot of NHS support in the area we live. Meaning, we will probably have to look at a private speech and language therapist for Gareth.

No one prepares you for this - the emotional trauma is enough on its own, but the financial pressure adds another layer of stress during an already heartbreaking time. Gareth was the main earner and I am trying my best to hold everything together. I am trying to raise funds to help ease this burden. Every donation will go towards supporting Gareth’s ongoing rehabilitation, travel costs, household bills etc. We simply want to give Gareth the best chance of speaking again.

If you are able to donate, no matter how small, we are deeply grateful. If you can’t, sharing this page means more than you know.

From the bottoms of our hearts - thank you.

Ali, Gareth & Jack