On Friday 13th December 2019, I suffered a very severe stroke; by the time I reached the hospital, I was completely paralyzed down one side, was suffering from speech loss and many other symptoms associated with strokes. Luckily, I had been in good health up until then and was treated very quickly by fantastic doctors and nurses. I was able to eventually return home on Christmas eve, just in time for a very different Christmas. Despite this, there is still a long journey to conquer to be fully rehabilitated.
I began my rehabilitation journey by improving my speech, singing, walking, motor control and general physical strength. However, my rehabilitation has not been easy due to extreme fatigue which has made improving on my walking incredibly hard. I started walking laps around my garden to help improve movement when I realized that, while I was helping myself, I could help others too.
Coronavirus has hit hard in just about every corner of the country, regardless of the sector, number of employees, skilled or unskilled; there has been an impact. PROJECT 2021: is concerned with just one sector in one location. The Comprehensive Stroke Centre at Salford Royal Hospital, Greater Manchester provides hyperacute stroke care for people presenting with symptoms of stroke within four hours of onset from across Greater Manchester, in collaboration with their colleagues in the Primary and District Stroke Centres across the city. They have many success stories, including Fran's Story, but like many of our hospitals they find themselves underfunded and understaffed.
Throughout the Coronavirus Pandemic services have often been diverted from their regular practices and at the very least have been put under additional pressure trying to keep both patients and medical staff safe. All of this has been costly and whilst this project may only be a drop in the ocean, every penny will make a difference.
Each marathon walk totals 26.2 miles or 46145 yards; each lap of my garden is a little over 38.5 yards. I have already walked the distance of one marathon (1198 laps) and I have set myself the challenge to complete the second one in just 8 weeks, that's another 1198 laps. Of course I won't be completing the laps all in one go! I am aiming to complete at least five laps per day, most days I will be able to complete many more laps as I have to average 21.4 laps per day to make the target. You will be able to check out my daily progress at my website www.francesprovost-fundraising.co.uk
Buoyed by the success of my last project I have taken on PROJECT 2021: to raise desperately needed funds for the Comprehensive Stroke Centre at Salford Royal Hospital (through the NorthCare Charity Registration No. 1049226 which was formerly know as the Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust) who were completely instrumental in saving my life and giving the greatest chance of the best possible recovery following my stroke in 2019. So as with my last project I have decided to help the Stroke Centre by walking another two marathons around my own garden. I will never be able to express my gratitude to all the staff at Salford Royal Hospital for their kindness and skills, but I hope you will be generous in helping me go a little way by supporting PROJECT 2021:
I have set a target of £2,500 that I want to raise in support of the Comprehensive Stroke Centre at Salford Royal Hospital.
I think of it this way:
If only 250 households could donate £10 each that would achieve our target of £2,500.
You don't have to give £10 as every £1 counts, just spread the word - the more households donate the better.
Please support my efforts and let us help other stroke survivors get the best possible care!