Thanks to Jake Milnes-Green, Countrywide Home Surveys have been fundraising for the Stroke Unit at Salford Royal Hospital since 2022. Jake, who suffered from a stroke in 2022 aged just 44, was treated at Salford Royal and encouraged his colleagues at Countrywide to support NorthCare, the hospital’s official charity, to give back for the care he received.
Countrywide have made numerous corporate donations from a percentage of their sales and held various employee fundraising activities, including a five-a-side football tournament, bucket collection, and Halloween tombola. Jake, alongside representatives from Countywide, attended the Unit for a celebration of their fundraising and to see the equipment they had funded. During the visit, Jake and Countrywide staff were able to see the THERA-Trainer Tigo-640 in use by patients as part of their rehabilitation.
“I really enjoy using the trainer, I set myself a goal each time I use it. Each time I have been achieving my goal and even exceeding it! It’s made me feel happy and determined to do even better at every pedal session”, one of the patients told those visiting.
The trainer, which allows patients to exercise their arms and legs simultaneously and rebuild strength in their limbs, was on loan to the Unit and had already starting making a huge impact for patients. The Countrywide team and The Moving Portal decided their next fundraising project would ensure that the Unit could purchase a machine of their own a second piece of equipment, with a fundraising target of over £8K.
Having the stroke will never leave my memory and seeing my face in the mirror is something that I still see when I close my eyes today”, said Jake. “It was such a terrifying experience!”
"The staff at Salford Royal saved my life. They continued their support with the Rehabilitation Team once I returned home, and it brings me great joy to be able to support them in the work that they do - helping so many other people, who like myself, experience some form of life-changing trauma.”
Jake is now in training for this year’s Great Manchester Run in May, an opportunity to get back to running and attending the gym, something he enjoyed long before his stroke. He will be joined by a team of 13 staff members from the Stroke Unit, all fundraising towards purchasing the THERA Trainer for use by patients on the Unit for years to come.
“Although I am no longer at Countrywide, I’m delighted to be working in partnership with them to continue to raise funds for such a worthy cause.”
You can support Jake and Countrywide’s and Moving Portal fundraising here.
