Stroke survivor in plea to abseil for charity cash

Ex-firefighter urges people to try bridge challenge and help those who showed him such kindness

A disabled former firefighter and bodybuilding star living in an Arbroath care home has made an emotional plea for help.

Leo Connell, 84, originally from Glasgow but now living in the Balhousie Monkbarns Care Home, suffered a stroke last year and will be a wheelchair user for the rest of his life.

He is now seeking volunteers to abseil off the Forth Bridge on October 6 to raise money for people in Scotland recovering from strokes.

He said the one he suffered last August came as a “shattering blow.

“I was alone in my flat and my neighbour found me flat out on the kitchen floor,” he said.

“I have no idea how long I was there for but I’m guessing it was several hours.

“That day my life changed forever. When I woke up I couldn’t walk. I was told I would be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. It was devastating.”

The retired firefighter served in Glasgow for more than a decade. He wants to thank workers at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland for helping him through the “darker days” of his recovery.

Mark Jackson, the charity’s rehabilitation co-ordinator, helped him improve his speech and to exercise.

“I often have vivid dreams that I can walk, run and sprint like I did in my younger days,” said Mr Connell.

“I feel good again for a moment and then I wake up and feel a bit depressed.

“Mark has been so helpful and has kept me going in my darker days. His support definitely makes me feel better about life.

“He’s helped me get my speech back, and I’m hugely grateful that I can still speak relatively well.

“The support I get from Mark relies on people raising money. By taking part in the Forth Bridge Abseil people have a chance to be a hero for people like me.

“They can help me – and so many other stroke survivors – live life to the full.”

Jane-Claire Judson, chief executive of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said Leo spent his whole life braving fires and helping other people.

“He is the perfect example of no life half lived and is a true inspiration to us all,” she said.

“We want everyone to get behind stroke survivors like Leo and sign up to the Forth Bridge Abseil.”

To sign up visit www.abseil.scot

Stroke survivor Leo Connell today, aged 84; in his first job as an apprentice bagpipe maker and, below, when he claimed the champion Bodybuilder Junior West of Scotland title.