Stroke survivors from Brighton have posed for impactful portraits as part of a campaign to help save more lives.

As part of the NHS’s Help Us, Help You Act F.A.S.T. drive, which is supported by the Stroke Association, a new series of portraits have been released featuring the stroke survivors and those that saved them.

The campaign encourages others to take swift action when they spot the signs of stroke, which the acronym F.A.S.T stands for:

  • Face – has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?  
  • Arms – can they raise both their arms and keep them there?  
  • Speech – is their speech slurred?  
  • Time – time to call 999  

The portraits, shot by Getty royal photographer Chris Jackson, include TV chef, Brian Turner CBE, and radio presenter Mark Goodier.

The series reflects significant life moments the stroke survivors have lived to celebrate since their stroke, which may not have happened if their loved ones had not Acted F.A.S.T. and called 999.

Keith Landon, 75, was at home in summer 2021 when he noticed he couldn’t move his right arm.

The Argus: Stroke survivor Keith Laundon and his wife Angela for NHS campaign F.A.S.TStroke survivor Keith Laundon and his wife Angela for NHS campaign F.A.S.T (Image: Chris Jackson)

His wife, Angela acted F.A.S.T. having spotted the same signs with her mother previously, and dialled 999.

Keith made a full recovery and lived to walk his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day.

Paul and Carol Wilson aged 50, had returned from a week in Cornwall when in summer 2021, Carol woke up to cramp, a headache and blurred vision.

Her husband, Paul acted F.A.S.T. and dialled 999.

The 50-year-old has since made a full recovery and managed to go on a trip of a lifetime to France and Spain in her campervan.

The Argus: Carol and Paul Wilson for NHS campaign F.A.S.TCarol and Paul Wilson for NHS campaign F.A.S.T (Image: Chris Jackson)

For the photo series, Keith and Carol were photographed at Brighton-based locations, at a beauty spot in Woodingdean and at St Matthias Church.

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New data from a survey of the South East revealed that:

  • Six in ten (61 per cent) were not aware that stroke is the fourth single leading cause of death in the UK 
  • Six in ten (37 per cent) did not recognise stroke as a medical emergency that requires attention, even though every minute following is vital. 
  • One in five (20 per cent) are not confident that they could recognise typical signs of a stroke.