Phoenix Stroke Appeal reaches £362,226

BBC Radio Cornwall listeners have so far raised £362,226

BBC Radio Cornwall listeners have helped to raise £362,226 so far for the Phoenix Stroke Appeal.

The Cornish appeal was launched in June 2011.

It aims to raise £500,000 for equipment and services for stroke.

The money raised will go to the acute unit at the Royal Cornwall Hospital and the dedicated stroke units at Bodmin and Camborne Redruth Community Hospitals.

The appeal will also benefit stroke carers in the community.

BBC Radio Cornwall asked listeners to bring in their jars/tins of loose change for the benefit of the Appeal.

At the time of the launch the appeal's chairman Rik Evans said: "More than a thousand people have a stroke every year in Cornwall, and there is hardly a family that hasn't been touched by its long-term effects on loved ones."

A committee member of the Appeal, Gillian Molesworth, said funds raised were already helping patients on the Phoenix Ward at the Royal Cornwall Hospital.

Carol Fletcher from Carharrack near Redruth suffered a stroke when she was in her 20s.

She said: "It took me years to learn to walk and speak again. Your brain has to make new connections.

"It's hard for many stroke sufferers, because other people can't see that you are struggling even to hold a conversation."

Ms Fletcher has dedicated much of her time to helping other stroke survivors in a support group called Connect.

She said: "I want to see everyone getting what they need without having to ask."

All three hospitals, and stroke carers in the community, have drawn up a "wish list" of equipment that would improve their treatment of stroke, and raise Cornwall's level of response to stroke from "adequate" to "world class".

A few examples are lifting and positioning equipment, aids for breathing and swallowing, and monitors and scanners to assist diagnosis and rehabilitation support.

Getting involved

If you would like to make a donation:

Please make cheques payable to the Phoenix Stroke Appeal and send to:

The Phoenix Stroke Appeal

BBC Radio Cornwall

Phoenix Wharf

Truro

TR1 1UA

Or you bring your spare change to BBC Radio Cornwall's studios at Phoenix Wharf in Truro.