MERSEYSIDE’ S PART IN THE MEETING THAT WAS THE MAKING OF WILFRED OWEN
STROKE SURVIVOR HOSTS FUNDRAISING EVENT
W L NEWS
MERSEYSIDE’ S PART IN THE MEETING THAT WAS THE MAKING OF WILFRED OWEN
STROKE SURVIVOR HOSTS FUNDRAISING EVENT
A young stroke survivor from the Wirral is raising vital funds for the Stroke Association with a fundraising evening on Saturday 9th September 2017.
Wilfred Owen was born in Oswestry but spent the longest period of his life in Birkenhead. He was educated at the prestigious Birkenhead Institute and it was there that his passion for poetry was ignited.
His gift for poetry found its voice when he enlisted in The Great War, but he may have remained unknown if it were not for a fateful meeting with his hero exactly 100 years ago. In early August 1917, Wilfred was sent to Craiglockhart Hospital near Edinburgh suffering from shell-shock after several horrendous experiences on the Western Front. His meeting here with Siegfried Sassoon MC turned Wilfred into arguably the world’ s most famous soldier poet. Siegfried, an accepted and established poet, was delighted to have found someone with whom he could discuss, recite and read poetry. He took an instant liking to Wilfred, noting that‘ he spoke with a slight stammer, not surprising given his shell-shocked condition’, and was‘ an interesting little chap’ with‘ a charming honest smile’,‘ perceptibly provincial’. Both men were under the care of Dr William Rivers. Rivers had recently been transferred from The Maghull Military Hospital near Liverpool, where Wilfred Owen had been a patient that spring. Sassoon had also been in Liverpool at Litherland Army Barracks( four miles from Maghull), where he was putting the finishing touches to his infamous letter of protest against the war. Sassoon later wrote,“ As I remember Wilfred during those three months we spent together at Craiglockhart, he was consistently cheerful. He edited“ The Hydra”, the hospital magazine. It is worth noting that it was only through my urgent instigation that Owen printed a short poem of his own.” The earliest draft of Wilfred’ s most famous poem Anthem For Doomed Youth dates from this time and was heavily influenced by Sassoon. After the war, Siegfried threw his MC medal into the River Mersey as a tribute to his gifted friend who had started his love affair with words at nearby Birkenhead. A new exhibition celebrating this remarkable event, created by local historian Lucy London, has just opened at The Wilfred Owen Story. It also features a special audio recreation read by Mark Reed( son of the late great Oliver Reed). Admission is free. For further information contact: Dean Johnson on 07539 371925 or email info @ wilfredowenstory. com
Danielle Pownall, 30, has organised the event at Poulton Victoria Sports and Social Club in Wallasey at 7:30pm. Danielle was inspired to fund raise for the charity after she had a spinal stroke in August 2014, when she was nine weeks pregnant.
Danielle was in an induced coma for 12 days and paralysed from the neck down. Once she awoke, Danielle’ s movement gradually improved each day, and fortunately her baby was unharmed. Four weeks after her stroke, and thirteen weeks into her pregnancy, she slowly walked out of the hospital. Danielle’ s daughter, Isla May, is now two years old. Danielle is working on her physiotherapy to improve the weakness in her left leg, and her husband, Tom, and mother help to care for her baby, Isla. At the fundraising evening, guests can enjoy performances from singer Alan Triggs and a DJ, as well as a raffle, sweet cart and purple cupcakes. Danielle has also designed her own hoodies to help raise awareness of stroke, which have raised £ 150.
Danielle said:“ I want people to know that a stroke can happen to anyone, of any age. I’ m keen to show how important it is to remain positive; there is life after stroke. After the support I received from the Stroke Association, I’ m keen to raise funds to help others get the support they need. I’ d love people in the Wirral to come along and support the evening and help raise money for this cause that is close to my heart”.
Sian Thomas, Community and Events Fundraiser at the Stroke Association, said“ With around 100,000 strokes in the UK each year, it’ s vital we have people like Danielle to help raise vital funds. We’ re incredibly grateful to Danielle for her all of her support. At the Stroke Association we want to be there for everyone affected by a stroke, and the funds raised by Danielle at her fundraising event will help make this a reality.”
Tickets are available on the door for £ 5 per person. For more information about stroke, contact the Helpline on: 0303 30 33 100 or visit www. stroke. org. uk. wirrallife. com 9