A stroke survivor from Orwell is holding a Christmas fete to raise money for the Addenbrooke's ward which aided her recovery.
Kirsten Bailey, 33, who uses a wheelchair and has spinal muscular atrophy and autism, was born in the Rosie Hospital - part of the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and has had many visits to Addenbrooke's throughout her life.
Forced to isolate due to the pandemic, Kirsten suffered a stroke at the age of 29, which she described as the "biggest and most terrifying shock".
Following six days of tests and procedures at Addenbrooke's Kirsten was allowed to go home to recover, and for a few months had occupational therapy and physiotherapy as her left arm had been badly affected by the stroke.
A year after her first stroke, Kirsten suffered another stroke and was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in an ambulance.
In March this year she also had successful surgery to remove a cavernoma - the cluster of abnormal blood vessels in her brain which caused the stroke.
Now almost fully recovered, Kirsten wants to raise money for the A3 ward, where she stayed the night before and for 13 days after her surgery.
She will be holding a fete on December 16 at Orwell Village Hall from 11am to 3.30pm.
The ward needs new medical equipment - including a mobile hoist, EGC and bladder scanner - a higher table for the staff room and somewhere for staff to store their coats and bags.
The total cost of items needed comes to £8,600.
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Through other fundraising activities, Kirsten has already raised half of her target.
To donate go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/kirsten-bailey-1683038020132.
She said: "The staff were incredible on the ward and they were kind, thoughtful and caring in a time that was so uncertain for me, my friends and family.
"I was petrified and they knew that and tried to help me be as calm as they could.
"They were run off their feet and you could see they were tired without a break, but nothing was ever too much trouble and they made me feel safe and secure."
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