Did you know strokes are the third biggest killer in the UK? Or that about 150,000 people have a stroke each year?

The main risk factor for a stroke is high blood pressure, which means there are many commonsense measures people can take to reduce the risk.

But people who have had strokes often end up with permanent disabilities.

In fact, more than a quarter of a million people in the UK are living with disabilities caused by a stroke.

Many of them find it extremely costly and difficult to organise a holiday – or even just a short respite break – because of their complicated care needs.

As a result, about a third of all disabled people have never been able to take a break since they became disabled. This means those who care for them are also in desperate need of relief.

I work at a place called Vitalise Jubilee Lodge, an accessible respite care centre in Chigwell, Essex, run by national disability charity Vitalise.

Each year we welcome many hundreds of disabled people and carers to enjoy much-needed breaks with us – breaks which often mean the difference between coping and despair.

But we couldn’t do it without the generosity of our supporters. If you would like to make a donation to our essential work, call us on 020 8501 2331, or you can e-mail jubileelodge@vitalise.org.uk

Steve Trump
Vitalise Jubilee Lodge
High Road
Chigwell
www.vitalise.org.uk