A Shropshire man and his girlfriend who saved his life were celebrating their impending wedding with a mammoth charity fundraising event today.

Owain Wyn-Jones suffered a stroke earlier this year and it was only the quick-thinking of his then girlfriend, now fiancee Laraine Adams, who had seen the FAST campaign on television that saved his life.

Mr Wyn-Jones said: “Laraine had seen the FAST television advertising campaign so when I woke up and started acting oddly she realised straight away what was wrong.”

Mr Wyn-Jones, of Shifnal, was staying with friends so was rushed to North Staffordshire Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent where he was diagnosed with a stroke.

But only eight months later he has fought back and he and Laraine are taking part in The Stroke Association’s Treetop Challenge at Wyre Forest in Worcestershire.

Mr Wyn-Jones said: “The staff at the hospital undoubtedly saved my life, and had it not been for the TV adverts I dread to think what might have happened.”

He added: “I’m passionate about not just raising funds for The Stroke Association but also awareness of the symptoms. I was only 30 and am living proof that strokes don’t just affect older people. Look for the FAST symptoms – Facial weakness; Arm weakness; Speech problems; Time to call 999.”

Soon after being discharged from hospital he proposed to Laraine and the couple plan to tie the knot at Rowton Castle near Shrewsbury, on December 17.

To sponsor them in the challenge visit their Just Giving page at http://www.justgiving.com/LaraineOwain/ or donate directly to The Stroke Association by visiting www.stroke.org.uk