In a letter to Dorset View, Chris Tarrant writes: Six years ago, completely out of the blue I had a sudden and life-changing stroke. I’m not alone in this: stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK, and around 1.2 million survivors are living with its devastating effects. Yet, despite this research into stroke is severely underfunded. Just 1% of the total UK public and third sector health research spend goes towards stroke research. 

When I had my stroke I was incredibly frightened and I thought I was going to die. But three weeks later, I was out of hospital and started physiotherapy. Within months I was able to start working again. My recovery has been made possiblethanks to stroke research, which continues to improve care and find new ways to rebuild lives.

The Stroke Association have launched a unique opportunity for stroke survivors, like myself, and those who care for stroke survivors, both informally and as health and social care professionals, to have our say on the future of stroke research. Partnered with the James Lind Alliance, the charity will find out what matters to us most so research can make the biggest difference to our lives.

With such limited funds for stroke research, worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s vital that we come together and make our voices heard. If you’re a stroke survivor, or you care for or work with someone affected by stroke, join me and speak up for stroke.

Don’t miss your chance, visit: www.stroke.org.uk/jla by the deadline of 21 March.