A MAN has turned his attentions to helping others after he suffered a terrifying stroke while out cycling with his brother.

Jonathan Lovett, 44, was training for the London to Southend bike ride last year when he suddenly lost his vision.

He ended up spending 18 days in Basildon Hospital recovering from a devastating stroke which caused him to lose all feeling in the righthand side of his body.

He said: “At the time, I thought I was having a funny turn, and knew something wasn’t right, so we decided to cycle back to my brother Simon’s house to drop off our bikes, so he could drive me to the hospital.

“On the cycle home my sight did end up coming back, but we thought it was best I still go hospital to get checked out just in case. As I was filling out the forms in the hospital waiting area with my brother, I suddenly lost control of my armand as I went to speak, I realised I couldn’t talk properly.”

Mr Lovett, from Basildon, lost all feeling in the right side of his body, his vision and his speech, before falling to the floor.

Although he now looks healthy, Mr Lovett struggles with daily tasks including making a cup of tea, taking a shower or reading a paper because of damage to his right hand.

He is one of four brave stroke survivors starring in a photography exhibition, which uses purple paint to show how each person has been affected differently by their stroke.

Mr Lovett, who attends the Bishops Stortford Voluntary Stroke Group, wants to do all he can to share his experiences, raise awareness, and support others.

He added: “I hope from this project, more people realise stroke can happen in an instant, but the effects can last a lifetime. Although I may look well and fine, I have a daily battle with the effects of my stroke.”

The images will be showcased at the Thurrock Stroke Art Exhibition, at High House Production Park, in Vellacott Close, Purfleet, between 2pm and 6pm on Tuesday, August 18.

Tracy Groves, from the Stroke Association, said: “I am so proud of my team of volunteers for being part of this special creation. On a daily basis I hear how heartbreaking it is for stroke survivor’s hidden effects to be ignored.

“Through these powerful images, we hope to raise awareness of stroke across the East of England. A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to part of your brain is cut off and brain cells are damaged or die. It can happen out of the blue and be very frightening.

“A stroke can affect people’s confidence as many survivors feel embarrassed when they can’t remember things or they forget words, or because of the physical effects.”