After a young member of her family had a stroke, Sharon Tierney from Abergavenny decided to get creative to raise funds for the Stroke Association. Her purple bows mark the month of Make May Purple, in which Sharon is joining people across Wales in raising funds and awareness of stroke.

Sharon said, “The stroke came out of the blue. We’re not sure why it happened and he’s still recovering. I always thought it just happened to old people – it wasn’t until I spoke to the Stroke Association’s support staff that I realised it could even happen to little babies.

“My family member's friends were aware of the FAST symptoms for a stroke when he suddenly stopped being able to speak, had a dropped face and couldn’t use one arm, but the ambulance and A&E thought it was because he’d been drinking. It wasn’t until he had a seizure that they took it more seriously. Then the Cardiff stroke unit staff were fantastic.

“It’s mainly effected his speech and language, but he’s an independent and determined young man and is working on getting back to university.”

In the UK stroke is the leading cause of disability and there are almost 66,000 people in Wales living with the physical and emotional after effects. The money raised through Make May Purple for Stroke will enable the charity to support many more stroke survivors regain their independence.

Margaret Street, Director of the Stroke Association in Wales, said:“Every year we help thousands of stroke survivors and their families through our range of services and free helpline, but we can only do this through the generosity of supporters like Sharon.

“Make May Purple is a fun and easy way for everyone to show their support for stroke survivors and we hope that as many people as possible will join in.”

Sharon will be selling her big bows for your car and small ones for your bag at the Step Out for Stroke walk in Cardiff on 10 June. www.stroke.org.uk/stepout.

To find out more about the work of the Stroke Association and how you can Make May Purple visit www.stroke.org.uk/makemaypurple.

The FAST test

The FAST test helps people recognise the most common symptoms of a stroke and the right action to take:

· FACE: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?

· ARMS: Can the person raise both arms?

· SPEECH: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?

· TIME to call 999