WHEN Dave Jackson suffered a major stroke last year he was in a coma for three days and lost his memory, speech and vision.

Following the stroke in September 2010, his family had no idea how long it would be before he would walk again.

But after being cared for at a stroke rehabilitation unit, Mr Jackson was able to walk his daughter Amy down the aisle on her wedding day – and make a speech – at a church near Stratford on July 2.

Now Amy, 27, who lives with husband Tony Malloy, 28, in Cholsey, near Wallingford, is staging a concert with friends to raise funds for the Feldon Stroke Ward at the Royal Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital.

The concert by Oxford Operatic Society will take place on Sunday, December 4, at Summerfields School in Summertown.

Mrs Malloy, a Hertford College graduate who works for Oxford University Press, said: “The Feldon Stroke Ward holds a special place in my heart.

“They not only gave my dad expert care and therapy during his stay, but also helped my mum and I learn to cope with the responsibility of bringing him home and continuing his care.

“Through the dark days of the coma and the weeks after he woke up, staff at the ward helped us never lose hope that he would be by my side on my wedding day – and he got there.

“After the stroke, dad could not walk for the first few months and could only speak in a few sentences.

“He was also battling blood cancer myeloma at the time and is now on the verge of going into remission – it has been a rollercoaster year.”

Mr Jackson, 67, a former management training consultant, who lives with wife Ann, 68, in Stratford-upon-Avon, said: “The staff at the Feldon Stroke Ward did a fantastic job.

“I made it my target to walk Amy up the aisle and I was really glad that I was able to do it and make a speech at the wedding.”

The ward provides multi-disciplinary rehabilitation.

Mrs Malloy added: “The aim of the concert is to provide essential speech and language therapy equipment for the ward. We will perform songs at the hospital on the afternoon of the concert so that patients don’t miss out.”

Mrs Malloy, a member of Oxford Operatic Society, said the concert would feature songs from popular musicals including Mary Poppins, The Lion King and Grease.

They are hoping to raise £3,000.

  • The concert starts at 6.30pm and finishes at 9pm and tickets cost £10. For tickets, email stagesconcert@gmail.com