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Daily Record
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Dumfries woman whose husband had massive stroke backs charity's volunteers campaign
Sheryl Herring regularly visits hospital patients in her Stroke Association volunteer after husband Bruce was given just a five per cent chance of survival in 2017. A Dumfries woman whose husband had a massive stroke is backing a charity's campaign for more volunteers. Sheryl Herring's husband Bruce was given just a five per cent chance of survival following a stroke in 2017. She found out about the Stroke Association and now regularly visits hospital patients and has started a peer support group to help other families in a similar situation. Sheryl is one of just two volunteers the charity has in Dumfries and Galloway and, ahead of Volunteers' Week starting on Monday, she is calling on other people to get involved. She said: 'It was a revelation to find people going through what I'd been through, and I get a lot of support from Stroke Association community connectors whose job it is to signpost stroke survivors and their families to the services and support the charityprovides. 'I feel my experience puts me in a very good position to provide a sympathetic ear and reassure people they are not alone.' Sheryl, a mum of two, worked in health and social care when Bruce suffered a stroke in 2017 at the age of 49. It left him in a coma and he spent 11 months in hospital, being given just a five per cent chance of survival. When he left, he was in a wheelchair and suffered severe bouts of depression. The couple's world was turned upside down, with Sheryl becoming Bruce's full-time carer, and she started to feel the pressure. She had a breakdown and found the friends she used to rely on peeled away. It was a constant battle to get Bruce the help he needed, so she researched what support was available and discovered the Stroke Association and Dumfries and Galloway Carers Centre. Sheryl is now a volunteer for the Stroke Association and visits the stroke ward at DGRI every Monday to tell patients and families about Stroke Association support and what is available in the local area. She also visits Lochamben Community Rehabilitation Unit every fortnight, with her peer support group meeting at Mountainhall in Dumfries on the first Thursday of every month. And she also told Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson about her work and stroke treatment and care in Dumfries and Galloway. The latest available figures show 325 people across the region had a stroke in 2023 and the Stroke Association estimates 60 per cent will be left with some sort of disability, with three-quarters likely to experience mental health issues. The charity is calling for new volunteers to come forward to help provide support, with Sheryl and Newton Stewart-based Stewart Anderson currently their only helpers in Dumfries and Galloway. Associate director for the Stroke Association in Scotland, John Watson, said: 'The number of people having strokes in Scotland is anticipated to rise in the coming years and we've found that more than 50 per cent of Scottish adults have a close personal connection to stroke – whether having had one or seen a close friend or relativeaffected. 'Our volunteers' work is varied and rewarding, with the potential for learning and development opportunities and we would love to hear from anyone who would like to get involved.' The Stroke Association provides a raft of resources and support including on its website and by phone. However, support provided by people who have had experience of stroke is a powerful way to help stoke survivors and their families to adjust to the life-changing condition and the charity is particularly keen to hear from people who have had a stroke, or have supported someone who has, and want to use their experience to help others. Helping can benefit volunteers as well as the people they support as they develop new skills and confidence and feel they are giving something back. Anyone wishing to volunteer with the Stroke Association can contact the charity's engagement team in Scotland at engagementteamscotland@
Daily Record
05-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Preparations ramp up for One Big Thank you for Dumfries and Galloway's healthcare heroes
Jim McLelland from Crossmichael will once again spend 12 hours running, walking and jogging round Lochside Park in Castle Douglas. Preparations are ramping up for this year's One Big Thank You. Jim McLelland from Crossmichael will spend 12 hours running, walking and jogging round Lochside Park in Castle Douglas in honour of Dumfries and Galloway's healthcare heroes. Jim took on the challenge last year and raised an incredible £26,000, which was split between the Alexandra Unit at DGRI and staff support. This year's fundraiser will take place on July 27, just days before wife Ruth would have turned 68. She died at DGRI's Alexandra Unit in 2023. Jim, 72, said: 'On the day I will be matching the 12 hour work shift of our nursing and medical teams by walking, jogging and running as they do in their daily duties. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 'It will be a day of fun and celebration, providing us all with a chance to give back and show our appreciation to all staff, from the support services, catering teams to the porters, secretaries, nurses, doctors, consultants and steadfast team of volunteers. 'Please pledge whatever you can afford to support our local NHS staff and services, they are there for each of us in our time of need. 'Let's recognise their hard work, which often accompanies our darkest times of worry or pain. 'Even small contributions from offices, schools, shops, business and individual households could make a significant difference to our fundraising.' The day will have a real festival atmosphere, with music, stalls, food and events adding to the fun. To donate to the cause, click here. Anyone who would be willing to help Jim and act as an ambassador can contact him on 07776 012873 or jimmclelland@
