On the 5^th of May my form (OFH) and I ran a charity cake sale at break for the students and teachers in aid of a hugely worthwhile cause, the Victoria Ward at Warwick hospital, which is an acute stroke unit. The cake sale was an extension of an assembly we had devised for Orion house aiming to educate the students and teachers alike on the risks, myths and warning signs of strokes, as it is something that affects almost 17 million people annually worldwide, just for first strokes!

Strokes and predominantly the amazing Victoria Ward are particularly close to my heart as last year my dad fell ill with a major ischemic stroke, leaving him unable to move or speak. The care administered at Victoria ward, not only physically but emotionally, and in the form of familial support was exceptional and beyond words.  My entire family know that we owe his current health, speech, and mobility to the amazing nurses, doctors, porters and all other members of staff who work tirelessly on Victoria Ward.

During our time on Victoria ward I was made endless cups of tea, I was allowed to stay overnight by my dad’s bed (not a common occurrence in a high dependency ward), I was told jokes, given hugs, one porter named Jack who we owe particular thanks to even made my dad a CD of his favorite songs to listen to whilst in rehabilitation care elsewhere.  Since leaving Victoria Ward we have met nurses on the street who come up to my dad or I and ask how we are, they remember every patient and despite the intensive nature of the ward by default, it is still a friendly and homely environment to be in, which makes all the difference to families and patients going through that kind of situation.

Victoria Ward is the only acute stroke unit in Warwickshire, and provides the immediate emergency but specialist care needed for stroke victims in the early stages of their recovery. They have a limited number of beds, staff, and funding but they do an incredible job in looking after their patients, and their families, and ensuring that above all else, they are as happy as is possible in what would otherwise be an entirely unbearable situation.  From the saving of my dad’s life and the amazing care he was given, right down to their empathy towards my family and even providing an exam revision space for me, I owe Victoria Ward a huge deal which is why I am so happy to have been able to support them in this way, and with the help of my brilliant form at school, have managed to raise just over £180 to help support and save more stroke victims in the future.