STROKE HIT Co-Director and stroke survivor Stephen Hill takes on the 2.6 challenge

Stephen Hill (70) is one of our STROKE Health Integration Team (HIT) Co-Directors and lead for public involvement in research. He is also a public contributor on the Bristol Health Partners executive committee.

Stephen is a stroke survivor who defied the odds and his disability to
climb 26 steps during the 2.6 challenge for the local charity Bristol After
Stroke that helped and supported him during his recovery. He now intends to
continue his challenge and walk the 75 steps up the bell tower at Siston Court
and ring the bell when we clap for the NHS this Thursday (7 May 2020).

Stephen
had been told he would never be able to climb steps again.

In 2015, he suffered
a haemorrhagic stroke, that came completely out of nowhere, and so severely
affected his whole left side, that he couldn’t walk. Then last year, a spinal
problem, paralysed his right leg and he has been in a wheelchair struggling to
get mobile again.

Living
at Siston Court – the 75-step spiral staircase leading up to the 500-year-old
bell tower has been the focus of Stephen’s challenges.

For the 2.6 Challenge
Stephen climbed 26 steps setting a modest target of raising £100, and has so
far raised over £1,300. Inspired by his success, he will now attempt to climb
the steps and ring the Siston Court bell in tribute to the NHS and other key workers.

Rebecca
Sheehy, CEO of Bristol After Stroke said “We are so grateful to Stephen for his
huge determination and support, he truly is an inspiration to us all. The call
for our services has never been greater and we want to continue to help the
stroke affected now and in the long term.”

Stephen
who has since his stroke has become a Volunteer and Trustee for Bristol After
Stroke said: “I owe a huge debt of gratitude to local charity, Bristol After
Stroke, which came to help in those very dark days immediately after I was
stricken. In particular they attended me in hospital, and they organised
a rehabilitation course called Next Steps, a combination of appropriate group
physiotherapy and talks about important things that new stroke survivors and
their families need to know.

This challenge has proven to be a rare and precious
opportunity for me to do something to make a difference without even leaving
Siston.”

To help Stephen continue to raise funds to support this worthwhile local
cause, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stephen-s-2-6-challenge181

Listen to Stephen talk about his 75-step challenge on 7 May on BBC Radio Bristol Breakfast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p08b4h0w – bbc.co.uk – © 2020 BBC Stephen’s interview with Emma Britton begins at 2:25:20 and the clip is available on BBC Sounds for the next 30 days.

Stephen pictured outside the bell tower at Siston Court and at home (below).