A MAN from Wivenhoe is embarking on a 50-mile walk to raise awareness after two members of his family suffered strokes.

Ollie Williams and his family's lives were turned upside down when mum Tracy suffered a stroke in 2015, aged just 36. 

Even though he was only 10 at the time, he remembers how difficult the time was for his family after she was initially misdiagnosed. 

Ollie, 19, said: “We have no ties to a higher risk of strokes within the family.

"My mum had it on a Friday, but the doctors put it down to a chest infection. 

Fundraiser - Ollie and Tracy after his fundraiser in 2016, which was named Fundraiser of the Year by the Stroke AssociationFundraiser - Ollie and Tracy after his fundraiser in 2016, when he was named Fundraiser of the Year by the Stroke Association (Image: Ollie Williams)

“They found out the next Monday that she had a stroke and suffered from a hole in her heart.” 

The stroke left Tracy partially sighted and with a number of health issues, but thanks to the Stroke Association she has adapted well to the changes. 

“Stroke broke our family but developed us to become stronger and closer in many ways,” Ollie said. 

Tracy underwent surgery in spring this year and was on the road to recovery, when a second incident hit the Williams family. 

A few days after returning from holiday, Ollie’s nan Jackie suffered a stroke while accompanying Tracy for a post-surgery appointment. 

Ollie said: “My nan has always been my rock, keeping our family strong through difficult times and supporting our family in unimaginable ways to the best ability she could."

Following his mum’s stroke, he raised £3,000 for the Stroke Association with a bake sale and a fundraiser walk, and Ollie now wants to step up his game. 

His next fundraiser will see him walk more than 50 miles from Bury St Edmunds to Elmstead Market Cricket Club on September 27-28. 

Ollie said: “I just want to raise money for the charity which is supporting victims and possible victims of stroke in so many ways. 

“I want to make people more aware of the symptoms of stroke - it is not just external ones, but internal ones, too.” 

Anyone who would like to support Ollie can do so via his JustGiving page. 

Strokes symptoms vary between men and women, which can be identified using the acronym FAST for 'face, arms, speech, time', or BE FAST for 'balance, eyes, face, arms, speech, time'.