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The Source's very own Velma Parkinson recently supported The Stroke Association and completed a charity firewalk on 20th February.

Fire walking is the challenge of walking barefoot over hot coals, which can reach temperatures as hot as 1300°F and Velma is walking approximately six metres to raise money for the great cause.

Velma said: "I suffered a stroke in 2001 at the time I was not given a good prognosis at all, I was told I would possibly never walk again. However through sheer determination, lots of tears, but most importantly plenty of support from family and friends, I have made a reasonable recovery.  The Stroke Association does a fantastic job providing advice to both the person who has had a stroke but also valuable support for the family and friends of those affected.  They also help to fund research into strokes and the effects of a stroke.  This is a cause I wholeheartedly support, so when the chance came to raise some money doing something really off the wall it was an opportunity to good to miss, so I thought fire walk here I come! It was a very scary experience but I am really proud to have done it."

Every year, over 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA).That's one person every five minutes. Most people affected are over 65, but anyone can have a stroke, including children and even babies. Stroke is the biggest single cause of serious disability and the third most common cause of death in the UK. There are over one million stroke survivors in the UK, and around half are left dependent on others for help with everyday activities. The Stroke  Association works to prevent strokes and support stroke survivors and their families through their information, and Life After Stroke Services in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. For further information on The Stroke Association visit http://www.stroke.org.uk/.