The community from near and far has come together to support a local pilot, father and husband, who has been left in a critical condition following a huge stroke.
Les Bell, 72, from Cardigan suffered a sudden stroke while mowing his garden on May 11 this year.
The ICH Hemorrhagic Stroke has left Les without any feeling in the right side of his body.
He has to be fed through a tube and cannot talk, but communicates only through eye contact, small nods and grunts.
“The bleed was extensive,” said Les’ daughter Jessica. “Dad is currently on the Acute Stroke Ward.
“He has lost the right hand side of his body. He has to be tube fed as he's not conscious enough to perform a swallow test although it would seem the muscles on the right side of his throat aren't working.
“He can't talk, he can only communicate with brief eye contact, small nods, and grunts.
“We don't know the prognosis, only time will tell, but he is in a critical condition and it's likely to remain that way for some months.”
Les, a former pilot who now works as a flight training consultant in Gatwick, was the main breadwinner for his household; his wife is unable to work due to disabilities and his son Jake can only do limited work as he continues to recover from cancer treatment.
Les also held all the family finances in his account.
Jessica is applying for I'm applying for lasting power of attorney (LPA) in order to be able to access her father’s accounts.
This can take up to 10 weeks and in the interim her mum and brother have no access to money and can't pay rent or bills.
Jessica has set up a GoFundMe to support her father, mother and brother. She aims to raise £3,500 to help cover rent and bills until the lasting power of attorney is set up.
“I'm asking for donations of any kind to help them pay for the urgent bills while we're waiting for other benefits and LPA to begin,” said Jessica.
“If we can get them through the next couple of months, we'd be so so grateful.”
Since the GoFundMe was set up it has raised more than £2,300 and Jessica said the money raised had lifted a huge pressure off the family.
“Thank you for your generosity and support for the family,” said Jessica.
“Mum and Jake are blown away by the response they've had and along with myself and Aaron want to say a massive thank you to those who have already donated.
“Thank you all so so much for your generosity and kindness. We're all so grateful and hopefully soon Dad can thank you himself.”
To donate to the GoFundMe click on the link above or visit gofundme.com/f/help-for-the-family-of-les-bell.
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