Edward Kelly raises thousands for charity

A stroke survivor who took part in this year's Parish Walk has raised nearly £12,000 for charity.

38-year-old Edward Kelly from Onchan has raised £11,700 for the Manx Stroke Foundation after participating in the event in June earlier this year.

Edward suffered a severe stroke when he was just 21 - which initially left him paralysed from the neck down, on a breathing machine and only able to communicate via blinking. 

However, after many years of medical care and his own determination, he has come further than anyone ever could have imagined -  although he still has limited movement on his left side, it doesn’t stop him grabbing life with both hands. 

Walking even a few yards requires every ounce of his energy and determination but in the Parish Walk he managed to cover just short of two miles from the start at the NSC to Braddan.

The event organisers also allowed Edward to walk across the finish line in Douglas where his remarkable achievement was warmly applauded by spectators. 

If Edward’s story has inspired you and you would like to make a donation, you can still do so at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/edward-kelly5 or by sending cheques made out to ‘The Manx Stroke Foundation’ to 6 Glen Park Drive, Douglas, IM2 6HN.