TWO local campaigners urging the Government to support a national Brain Aneurysm Day have discussed their crusade with famed personality Debbie McGee, after she heard about their story in The Gazette.

Michelle Williams and Lisa Slaymaker, who have set up Soul Sisters in a bid to encourage politicians to back a national awareness day for those suffering with and affected by brain aneurysms, were invited to talk to

Debbie on her BBC Radio Berkshire show on Sunday morning.

Debbie, the famous assistant and wife to the late magician Paul Daniels, hoped to help raise awareness for the Hook pairs’ campaign after Paul died quickly after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Michelle and Lisa are attempting to complete their golden post-box challenge, which will see the pair visit every letterbox dedicated to a gold medal winning athlete from London’s 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games, and send a postcard calling for the Prime Minister to support a national Brain Aneurysm Day.

Debbie said on her show: “It’s a great idea this to get your word out there.

“What’s wonderful, so often out of sad stories, some good can come out of a sad situation. It’s a good feeling to hopefully help other people.”

Afterwards Michelle said: “It’s very easy for people to turn a blind eye and to think that nothing like this can ever happen to them, or somebody they love, as I once did , but trust me it can.

“This awareness campaign that I have taken on is a huge challenge to me in my current stage of recovery.

“Despite my positivity, I am racked with internalised fear that my coiling may fail and I may be at risk of another rupture, or that further aneurysms may form in the future.

“But my biggest fear, among all others is that one of my children or their offspring may be inflicted with this condition at some stage in their life, as statistics show that it can be genetic.”

Since the show went live on Sunday, many people have contacted the Soul Sisters to voice their support of the awareness campaign and day.

The pair met after The Gazette published Michelle’s story on her experience of having a ruptured brain aneurysm, which led to the 47-year-old business owner requiring life-saving surgery.

Lisa’s mother passed away in 2012 after suffering with a similar condition and she contacted Michelle to praise her fighting spirit.

They have now been welcomed to visit BBC Radio Newcastle after The Clarke Lister Brain Haemorrhage Foundation founder Carole Lister heard of their challenge.

Carole said: “I have stood alone for 20 years and to find a new couple asking the same questions as I have and the fact that they are asking parliament for a Brain Aneurysm Awareness Day to be established is fantastic. 

“Please follow their journey to date on their sites or give them a call. Their story is too much like our own and hundreds of others who I have connected with over the years.”

Soul Sisters now head up north in their quest to visit all 81 golden postboxes. 

They are also petitioning for a national Brain Aneurysm day.

For more information about the petition and Michelle and Lisa’s story visit soulsistersuk.com.