Brodie's £3500 cash boost proves he's all heart
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A inspirational six-year-old boy has raised £3500 for a charity that supported his dad after he suffered a stroke at the age of 25.
Brodie Stewart, from Banff, collected the funds for Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland by taking on the 600 metres race at Run Garioch.
With the help of his mum Lisa, he raised the funds in the local community at a coffee morning.
The youngster managed to smash his fundraising target for the charity.
In December 2017, just three days after Christmas, Brodie’s dad, Barclay, who was just 25 at the time, had a stroke. He couldn’t move the right hand side of his body and really struggled to speak.
With the determination and the support of his family, Barclay managed to start walking again quite quickly but it took a few weeks before his speech came back.
The whole family have been moved by Brodie’s fundraising efforts.
His dad said: “I am so proud of Brodie and all the hard work he has put in to help other families who have also been affected by stroke.
"It was a really scary time for me when I had the stroke and so to see Brodie go out there and make a difference to other people’s lives because of it makes me so proud. He’s an amazing kid.
“Having a stroke changes things. It makes you look at your health, your life and family and make those adjustments you need to be healthier. I know my stroke will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
Brodie’s mum Lisa said: "“We were all so scared when Barclay had his stroke; it came as such a shock. He was only 25 and the kids were only little, your mind begins to race.
"We are so thankful that Barclay recovered so quickly. It makes you cherish every moment.
“We are just so proud of Brodie. He has made a really scary time for our family into something positive. He is helping make a difference to other people’s lives.”
Brodie said: “It was really fun running the race and doing it to help my dad. I want to help lots of people. I don’t want anyone else’s Dad to have a stroke.”
The charity supports people and their families with chest, heart and stroke conditions.
Katie Jones, fundraising officer at Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, said: “It is absolutely amazing to see one of our youngest fundraisers going above and beyond to help others – he’s an inspiration.
"The money Brodie has raised will help people to rebuild their lives after a stroke and live their lives to the full. Well done Brodie.”
