Perth family support Loch Leven charity walk as show of thanks

A Perth family who owe a debt of gratitude to Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland are taking part in the charity’s Loch Leven walkathon.

When 41-year-old Gordon Brinklow went blind for an hour, he and his wife were shocked and confused.

The healthy father had simply stood up from the sofa when he suffered blood clots in each eye which stopped the flow to the optic nerve.

Luckily, the blinding effect of the double rransient ischaemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke was temporary for Mr Brinklow, a warehouse manager from Perth.

Now, seven years on, and fully recovered, he is preparing to join wife Fiona and their children Deanna, 14, Holly, 12, and six-year-old Paige on the CHSS Loch Leven walkathon on Sunday March 25.

For the Brinklows it’s a key date in the diary as all five have taken part in the walk every year since the event began in 2011.

Mrs Brinklow, a childminder, said: “When Gordon had his stroke, we were shocked how suddenly and quickly this kind of thing could happen.

“It came without any warning, and we couldn’t believe how it could happen to someone so young. CHSS’s information leaflets were different from the others we received, the others seemed to focus on helping elderly people but Gordon was only in his early 40s.

“It gave us a real fright, but CHSS gave us great support and we have raised money for the charity ever since. For us as a family, the walkathon at Loch Leven is a great way to give something back.”

To sign up visit.chss.org.uk/ lochleven or call 0300 1212 111.