Deeside Stroke Group

Throughout the pandemic, the Deeside Stroke Group has managed to keep its exercise sessions going. Supported by the charity the Stroke Association, we are the only organisation on Deeside providing specialist exercise sessions for stroke survivors once they are discharged from hospital.

Led by our excellent physiotherapist, Anna, exercise classes have continued on Zoom over the last few months. We plan to continue classes in this way until it is possible to return to face-to-face activities – early in 2021 we hope. Although we get great moral and administrative support from the Stroke Association, we are largely responsible for our own fund-raising. In the past we have had generous grants from the MacRobert Trust, from NHS Grampian Endowment Funds, from the Stroke Association itself and from many local individuals and organisations.

I know personally how sudden and devastating a stroke is. You need as much support as possible on discharge from hospital, so the stroke group has always tried to keep charges to participants as low as possible, so that the kind of rehabilitation we provide is accessible to all who need it – there is no equivalent service locally available through the NHS or social care.

Like many charities, we find ourselves with our funds severely depleted as a result of the lockdown, but  we are trying to keep this important service open to all stroke survivors on Deeside despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.

Special Offer only for readers of this blog: For the last few years, we have offered a cryptic quiz on sale through the kind co-operation of local shops and other businesses.  This is a part of our fund-raising effort during the winter. This year the theme of the cryptic quiz is ‘Sea Creatures’ and to encourage you to take part, here is a tempter of the first five questions, after reading which you will probably say to yourself – ‘Yes, I definitely need more of this to keep my brain active and to keep me cheery over Christmas. Bring it on’:

We will make print copies of the quiz available locally after the new year, but readers of this blog can purchase an early copy of the complete quiz securely for only £1 (or more if you are so inclined). Here are our bank details:

Payment to:         Deeside Group SA

Sort Code:           23-75-24

Account Number:  05969615

Important. Once you have paid please send a confirmatory email to the email address in the contact details for this blog – see link to page above – you should receive a copy of the complete quiz by email within 48 hours. The closing date for entries is February 28th 2021. Your donation will go directly to the work of the group.

Thank you for your support and a Merry Christmas to all readers and followers of this blog.