Stroke round for charity at Woodsome Hall Golf Club
SUCCESSFUL businessman and keen golfer John Murch lost his sight, speech and the ability to walk when he suffered a sudden stroke.
But he has battled back – and now plans to thank those who have helped him.
He spent almost five months in a wheelchair after the attack in October, 2009. Then gradually his sight returned and, with the help of the dedicated rehab team at St Luke’s Hospital in Crosland Moor and the Stroke Association, he slowly rebuilt his life.
Supported by Jenny, his wife of 42 years, John regained the power of speech and painstakingly learned how to use his hands and walk again.
Now John, a wine importer from Kirkburton, is “firing on two-and-a-half cylinders” and planning on saying a big thank you to those who helped him.
As a member of Woodsome Hall for over 30 years, he turned to the golf club to help him organise a large-scale charity event.
The club was quick to donate all of its facilities for free and on Thursday will host a charity golf day in aid of the Stroke Association.
John, who has been a one-handicap golfer in his day, hopes that the event will raise £5,000 for the charity as well as promoting general awareness about strokes.
He said: “I am chugging along and I am extremely grateful to be chugging along, many stroke victims don’t survive.
“At the Barton Unit in St Luke’s I learned that strokes are unfortunately often related to stress, bad diet, overwork and, more commonly, heavy drinking. It is not uncommon for teenagers to suffer strokes.
“The staff up there were fantastic; kind considerate and compassionate.
“I hope to raise awareness and to say a big thank you to those who helped me recover. We will be raising funds to help those less fortunate than myself.
“I’d also like to thank Woodsome Hall Golf Club for their generosity.”
The golf day will take the format of a shotgun start at 2pm for about 20 teams of four. This will be followed by a prize presentation and dinner with wine.
Although John tires easily and cannot walk far, he still enjoys golf with the aid of a buggy.
