By leaving a gift to the Stroke Foundation in my Will, I hope to free my grandchildren and others from the devastation caused by stroke

When James was young, his grandfather had a stroke that left him unable to communicate with or recognise his loved ones.

"From a very young age, I saw the disability of this," James says. "If they had the drugs we have today, no doubt he would have survived. And he may not have had the stroke in the first place."

Seeing what his grandfather went through inspired James to become a world-renowned medical research scientist.

“It’s the experience of decent everyday Australians like my grandfather that drives me to help change stroke in this country for the better – so that it no longer has the power to cause the hurt and sadness it does today.”

Although treatment and care of stroke survivors has come a long way since his grandfather’s day – there is still so much more that needs to be done.

When the time came for James and his wife Helen to update their Will after the arrival of their tenth grandchild, leaving a gift to the Stroke Foundation was a natural choice.

“By leaving a gift to the Stroke Foundation in my Will, I hope to free my grandchildren and others from the devastation caused by stroke.”

James hopes others will be inspired to take the same step. He believes it is a simple and effective way to make a real difference to those affected by stroke beyond his lifetime.