A HEARTBROKEN Bournemouth family "grieving" their dad who is still "physically there" after a devastating stroke, they are now holding a fundraiser to help pay for his care.

David Dixon, 64, a train driver for South West trains, had a stroke on his birthday last year, December 31, 2021.

His family received a call from a nurse alerting them that he had suffered a stroke while they were waiting for him to return home to celebrate the new year.

David's 21-year-old daughter Katie Dixon felt like she knew "something was up" when he took longer than expected to return home.

Katie said: "On the morning it happened, I gave him his birthday present and a cuddle and then he went he went off to work. 

"It was around 12.15am on New Year's Day and we were still up waiting for him to come home so we could celebrate the new year with him.

"It was then I received a call from a nurse from John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford who told me he had a stroke and he’s in resuscitation.

"I was so panicked, and I didn’t really know what to think.

"The heartbreaking thing is, he never touched a cigarette in his life and he rarely drank, he really looked after himself and I just think it’s so unfair."

The family now care for David as he is unable to walk or talk.

Bournemouth Echo: A photograph of David Dixon before he suffered a strokeA photograph of David Dixon before he suffered a stroke

Lynda Dixon, David's wife, said: "You're grieving a man you've lost even though they are still physically there.

"We're just still getting used to it, it’s a new life." 

The family are hosting a fundraising event on September 3, 2022 at Broadstone Conservative Club at 12pm-4pm. 

Katie added: "We are having to adapt our house in order to make it more accessible. We are on a waitlist for help, but it takes so much time. I have taken it upon myself to start fundraising for my dad to help towards his care, physio and other needs he requires.

"I also want to raise enough money to make a nice donation for the charity, Stroke Association.

"Before my dad had a stroke, I never knew the aftermath of one and the heartbreak that goes alongside it. 

"I want to spread the word about strokes and break the stigma around them as we are determined to make his life amazing."

You can donate to the family's fundrasing page here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/helpgetdavehome?member=18093699&sharetype=teams&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer&fs=e&s=cl