Stonehaven Mum Ready to Tackle Daring Fundraiser for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland  

Arlene Hutchinson lost her beloved husband Mark after he had two strokes within a few days in August of last year.  

Since the 52-year-old’s death, Arlene has thrown herself into fundraising for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.  

And on Saturday 22nd of March she will take herself out of her comfort zone to tackle the Kelpies Experience – a one-of-a-kind aerial adventure that sees participants traverse a maze of ladders, suspended platforms, and cable crossings inside the Kelpies sculptures, then descend via a free-hanging abseil or a Quick Flight rope drop.  

Arlene, a marketing manager for a global technology company, said: “Mark suffered a stroke out of the blue at home and was rushed to hospital. He had no underlying health conditions, we were a fit and healthy couple, so it was a huge shock.  

“They gave him a drug to dissolve the brain clot and he was quite comfortable. But he then had a second stroke 24 hours later. It was a rare basilar artery stroke which did huge damage to the brain. It’s been very, very tough.”  

At the turn of the year Arlene looked at ways she could fundraise and help others who had survived stroke and found Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.  

It led to her signing up for the Kelpies Experience, a one-of-a-kind aerial adventure in Falkirk.   

Arlene will be part of a group of 12, including her 12-year-old son Jack, taking part on the day.  

The 50-year-old said: “I wanted to fundraise for a charity that supported people who like Mark had experienced stroke.  

“I found CHSS and was drawn to the Kelpies Experience. It looked like a challenge and it will definitely take me out of my comfort zone.  

“I’ve read the stories on CHSS’ website, I’ve had support from the CHSS fundraising team, I’ve read up about the services and I want to help people that have been affected by these conditions.  

“If Mark had survived, he would have been severely disabled. I know people can survive stroke but unfortunately be left with challenging disabilities from mild to severe. I want to support people who have survived stroke and I think fundraising for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is a great  way to do that.  

“We’ve had a huge amount of support and really appreciate it, it’s been amazing.”  

Two weeks ago, Arlene and her friends held a fundraising quiz and lunch in Stonehaven which also raised money taking the total raised since Mark’s death to £10,000. 

Imogen Reading, CHSS Fundraiser Fife, Forth Valley & Perth and Kinross, said: “We are so grateful to Arlene for fundraising for CHSS and taking on this challenge on our behalf.  

“Arlene has become a fundraising powerhouse for CHSS since Mark’s death and we wish her, and her group, the very best for March 22nd.  

“The money raised will help us to support the 1 in 5 people in Scotland living with our conditions to live their lives to the full and ensure they have the right support, at the right time in the right place.”  

To donate to Arlene’s fundraiser please go to Arlene Hutchinson is fundraising for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.  

If you’re living with the effects of a chest, heart or stroke condition or Long Covid and looking for advice and information, please contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0899. You can also text ADVICE to 66777 or email adviceline@chss.org.uk.