A STROKE survivor has been undertaking odd jobs for people in his community in return for charitable donations.
Charlie Preston, 49, from Redditch, has been raising the cash for the Stroke Association in return for his labour.
Charlie was employed by a home removals company when a fall at work had a devastating and life-changing impact.
Following the accident Charlie had a series of strokes and received support from the charity as well as various other services and organisations within his community.
As a single dad he needed practical help, speech and language therapy and support with learning to write again so he could start to rebuild his life after stroke.
The stroke has left Charlie with seizures, anxiety and depression.
He said: “The hardest part is how people now treat me differently.
“I get really anxious and I don’t like going out.
“I don’t have any physical disabilities but when I get the shakes or have trouble getting my words out people think I’m drunk or on drugs.”
Charlie’s odd jobs fund-raising has already generated more than £900 and there is no sign of him stopping anytime soon.
“I wanted to fund-raise for the Stroke Association to raise awareness of the impact of stroke especially on single working age parents like me who have sole responsibility for their children,” he said.
“I wanted to give back for the support I have received and support other people that are going through what I went through.”
Sarah Adderley, the charity’s associate director for the Midlands, said: “We want to say a huge thank-you to Charlie for his amazing fund-raising efforts and we’re so sorry to hear about his stroke.
“Sadly, there are over 1.3million stroke survivors living with the effects of stroke in the UK today and one in five people will have a stroke in their lifetime.”
“However, with the support of people like Charlie we can help more stroke survivors and their families as they look to rebuild their lives.”
