In October 2019, at the age of 48, Liane Stone suffered a major stroke and was rushed to Ipswich Hospital where she fought for her life in Intensive Care.

When she was stable enough, she was moved to their Specialist Stroke Unit, where she stayed for five months.

Here, she received intensive nursing, medical and therapy treatment, but during this time she did suffer relapses which saw her back in Intensive Care.

Just before Lockdown in March 2020, she received the news that she had been accepted into the NHS Neurological Rehabilitation Unit at Caroline House in Norwich and this is where the hard work began.

The amazing and dedicated staff helped Liane to speak, eat, walk again and she was also able to complete jigsaws. But most importantly, she needed to gain independence so she could go home.

It was a really tough time for Liane, as this was whilst not being able to see her husband Ade, her daughter Danielle, and family or friends for five months.

Luckily, with the help of social media, she was able to share her progress and keep in touch with everyone but at times it was upsetting to see her in pain and at some really low points. However, being strong and determined, Liane defied the odds and proved this when we received the video of her walking - there were tears all round.

In August 2020, a small group of family and friends were over the moon to be there when she finally arrived back home, being driven by Ade after a very long ten months away.

Liane's recovery continues with physiotherapy at the Icanho Centre in Stowmarket. Life for Liane has changed, with adaptions having to be made to manage the long-lasting effects following the stroke but she continues to improve and she also hopes to be able to drive an adapted vehicle in the future.

She has been supported by her employer RG Carter who have helped her to return to work on a part-time basis from home.

Liane, her family, and friends want to thank the Stroke Unit at Ipswich Hospital and Caroline House by raising £10,000 to recognise the dedication of the staff that helped her on the road to recovery and to help all their other patients.

The money raised will make a real difference to patients and staff, as the extra funds are used to enhance services and facilities, as well as purchasing additional equipment to optimise patient care.

A sponsored bike ride named 'Spokes for Strokes' has been organised from Ipswich Hospital to Caroline House, Norwich and then returning to Ipswich on 18th September 2021.

There are over seventy cyclists, who include family, friends, work colleagues and NHS Staff, plus an army of volunteers to man water stations, provide cake and other support on the day.

Sponsorship has been gained from RG Carter , Longreach, DPL, GK Fencing and Castons.

Liane will be joining Team Spokes for Strokes but will be participating from her home as part of the rehabilitation. On the day, she will be there travelling in a support vehicle to encourage everyone to keep going.

Many of the cyclists and volunteers are from Hadleigh and the surrounding area.

Liane, who has just celebrated her 50th Birthday with her twin sister Paula, lived in Hadleigh where she worked after leaving Hadleigh High School.

For many years she was a member of Hadleigh Ladies Hockey Club and is a keen fan of Hadleigh Rugby Club.

We all hope you will consider making a contribution to both these worthy causes which like every part of the NHS, needs extra funding to continue providing the wonderful service they deliver every day to so many patients.

Please make your donation on line via Liane Stone Crowdfunding website here.

Team Spokes for Strokes

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