A FORMER banker and business adviser who survived a major stroke has raised �4,000 for organisations which put him on the road to recovery.

Nick Athorne, 60, of Boxford, near Sudbury, was working as a facilitator and compere for business events when he was struck down by a stroke in November 2009, which left him partially disabled.

The moving charity networking dinner at The Stoke by Nayland Hotel Golf and Spa on Wednesday, September 7, had been a “fantastic” occasion, and the first he had felt able to host since his illness, he said.

“This event for me was massive because I thought I would never do one again after having a stroke so actually to get up to do it was amazing,” he said.

“On a richter scale, my stroke was an 8 out of 10, but due to two Suffolk-based stroke charities - support group Success After Stroke (SAS) and rehabilitation centre ICANHO Livability my recovery and flexibility have improved a thousand-fold.”

Over one hundred local entrepreneurs and supporters came to the event, which aimed to be fun, exciting, informative and thought-provoking.

An auction of promises, officiated by auctioneer Jonathan Benson of Reeman Dansie Auctioneers and Valuers, together with John Brandler of Brandler Galleries, helped to raise more than �4,000 with proceeds being split equally between the two charities.

Diane Robinson, manager of ICANHO, said: “ Nick came to us with restricted movement in both his left arm and leg 18 months ago and partly down to his tenacity and stubborness and our occupational therapies and vocational rehabilitations he is recovering very well.

“We are delighted the networking event was so successful and are overwhelmed by the funds raised.”

Plans are now under way for the next charity event which will most likely be held in the spring or early summer of 2012.

“It has been brilliant, actually,” said Mr Athorne. “It was a superb event and I’m looking to do more.”

Meanwhile Nick is going to take the time in between to recover from this last one.