A BASINGSTOKE woman, who had a stroke at the age of 22, is raising awareness of the fact that it is not just older people who can be affected by the condition.

Bex Jennings, now 23, suffered a stroke last year when she was out to dinner with her boyfriend.

She noticed that her speech was slurring, that she was struggling to hold her boyfriend’s hand and that she had a painful headache.

She called 101, but was told that the symptoms were probably a result of drinking alcohol and that she should not worry.

Bex said: “When I had my stroke, I was terrified. My grandma has also had a stroke so my parents, who were with my grandma at the time of the stroke, realised I needed help fast.

“At 22, I thought I was too young to be having a stroke, so dismissed the very important signs. I want to urge all young people to be aware of stroke.”

Bex took on the Hyde Park Resolution Run to raise vital funds for the Stroke Association.

She said: “Running the Hyde Park Resolution Run was a big challenge, but I was determined to do it. I wanted to run for the Stroke Association as I now know how important it is that people recognise the symptoms of a stroke and react quickly.”

Charlotte Wahlich, regional fundraiser for Stroke Association, said: “There are around 152,000 strokes a year in the UK.

“We’re a charity that relies on people like Bex to raise funds so we can be there for families affected by strokes.”

To sponsor Bex, visit justgiving.com/account/your-pages/bextonestephlauren.