THE husband of a 35-year-old woman wants to see an increase in stroke awareness after witnessing first hand the 'life changing' effects of the condition.

Heather Kent, who lives in Clitheroe, suffered a stroke in November last year age 34, just seven months after marrying husband Gary Kent.

The 43-year-old diving instructor has been caring for his wife since she suffered the stroke when they were living in Thailand.

Mr Kent said: "It was life changing for us both.

"Day-to-day life has altered massively from before.

"Heather still needs a lot of help, we're teaching her to read and write again, it can be quite frustrating for her.

"The big thing that I want to come out of this is for people to be more stroke aware.

"It's about spotting the signs, she had a stroke right before my eyes.

"We're just humbled at all the support we've been getting."

Mr Kent decided it would be best to move back to Clitheroe to care for his wife, who is originally from South Africa.

It was there at Clitheroe Rugby Club he met Elizabeth Schinkel, from Burnley, who was inspired to raise money to help the couple.

She is running 100 miles in four days along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal starting on September 1, and a charity evening is also being held at the Bombay Lounge in Barrowford on Friday, August 18.

The money will be used to help Heather with an electric wheelchair and other mobility aids.

Mrs Schinkel said: "They are such lovely people, it's really inspirational.

"Me and Gary are both massive rugby fans and we got talking, and I just wanted to do anything I could to help.

"She's a similar age to me and it's turned their life upside down, I just want to raise awareness."

A Stroke Association spokesman said: “There are many powerful myths about stroke, for example that it only affects older people, and these stop people from taking action to prevent stroke.

"The truth is a quarter of stroke happen to people of working and we all need to change the way we think about this devastating condition.”