A BUSINESSMAN who survived a serious stroke at the age of 45 is sharing his experience to help other patients struck down by the condition.

Paul Van Der Kamp, from Outwood, was a fitness enthusiast who spent hours in the gym and regularly cycled more than 50 miles in a day.

But on April 8 he suffered the stroke, caused by a hole in his heart, which left him paralysed and unable to speak.

Mr Van Der Kamp said: “I was in bed and wanted to get up, but I felt like someone had pinned me to the bed. It was like a nightmare. In my head I was telling myself to get up, but nothing was happening. I never thought a stroke would happen to me. I’m fairly young and very fit and live a healthy lifestyle, so it came as a shock.”

The father-of-one spent six weeks at Fairfield General Hospital, Bury, and underwent months of physiotherapy and speech therapy.

He has recovered the feeling on the left side of his body, but still has no feeling in his right side as well as speech difficulties and dyslexia.

Mr Van Der Kamp is now back at work three days a week running his cash-and-carry firm, P&P Wholesales in Chadderton.

He spends 14 hours a week training in his home gym and has an adapted bike for 50-mile rides with Bury Tandem Club for the Visually Impaired each Sunday.

He now wants to help other people who have suffered a stroke by volunteering with the Stroke Association’s new information, advice and support service in Bury.

Funded by Bury Council, it helps stroke survivors, carers and their families deal with the results of a stroke.

Mr Van Der Kamp said: “During the weeks I was in hospital, I thought I would be disabled for the rest of my life and never speak again.

“I wanted someone to come in and say they had had a stroke and they were okay. That is why I want to be a buddy and tell people what I have been through. I really think keeping fit and being very positive has helped me get to where I am now. It’s so easy to give up.”

Mr Van Der Kamp is also raising money for the Stroke Association and collected more than £2,500 through a sponsored rowing event.

He also hopes to undertake a major bike ride to raise more money for stroke research.

Chris Bainbridge, a co-ordinator from the Stroke Association, said: “It’s great to have volunteers such as Paul to act as befrienders to other stroke survivors.

“We know that befrienders can reduce loneliness from social isolation and help people lead more independent lives.”

For more information about stroke services, or to volunteer locally, call 0161 820 4210 or go to bury -ias@stroke.org.uk