Bill starts stroke campaign

AT THE age of 70 he is a champion athlete and regularly enjoys singing opera. But Bill Gentleman, from Craiglockhart, will today launch an awareness campaign about how a stroke could affect anyone, however fit and healthy.

He has teamed up with Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland for the initiative, which aims to educate everyone on stroke symptoms.

If someone suffering the attack gets to hospital quickly the lasting impact can be minimised, but if there is a delay the outcome can be severe disability or even death.

He said: "It was the surprise of my life that I had suffered a stroke because I am so fit."