Elgin woman who suffered stroke at 29 set to zipwire over the River Clyde in Glasgow
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A WOMAN who overcame the trauma of suffering a stroke aged just 29 will zipwire across one of Scotland's iconic rivers to say 'thank you'.
Paula Leask, from Elgin, is taking part in the Zipslide the Clyde challenge at the start of September to raise funds for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS).
Her stroke was life-changing and CHSS stroke nurse Lyndsey was a lifeline and helped her move forward with her recovery.
Now Paula works for the charity that supported her in the role of community support coordinator, helping other stroke survivors live their lives to the full.
She will take part in the zipwire challenge alongside her friend Susan Pollock from North Lanarkshire.
Paula, now 36, said: “I have come through the charity as someone supported after a stroke. At one time I didn’t have very much hope for the future.
"I went on to volunteer and now I’m a community support coordinator. I am so thankful for my second chance at life.
“Every day I’m inspired by the love I see, the determination and hope. Every day I’m inspired by our amazing volunteers. Every day I’m inspired by kindness. People are everything.
“People give us strength and hope when we feel like we have nothing left. We can’t change what’s happened, but we can help people through tough times. Life should not be condition led, but person led!
“Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland are putting people in front of their conditions to ensure no life is half lived. Together we can make a difference.”
And Heather McCann, community events and fundraising manager at CHSS said: “We are incredibly grateful to Paula and Susan for taking on this challenge.
“Paula knows first-hand the impact our services can make to people living with chest, heart and stroke conditions across Scotland. The funds raised will support our service users to that they can live their lives to the full.”
You can support the inspirational pair at justgiving.com Paula Leask is fundraising for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.
To find out more about raising funds for Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland visit www.chss.org.uk/supportus/fundraise-for-us
