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