Perthshire Stroke Survivor Ready to Take a Leap of Faith for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland 15 July 2026 A Crieff stroke survivor will take the plunge this week to raise money as she marks her 10th anniversary from surviving a stroke. Debbie Matthew had a stroke in March 2016 just after her 40th birthday that nearly took her life. A decade on from that life-changing event, Debbie is pushing her own boundaries to mark the anniversary. So far, it’s included swimming in the sea, performing on stage and on Sunday she will take part in the most extreme challenge so far at the Highland Fling at Killiecrankie. Debbie, who is the Finance Manager at Strathearn Pest Control, said: “On the 27th of March 2016, I had my stroke just after my 40th birthday so this year is my 10th anniversary. “I wanted to mark that anniversary by doing 10 things in 2026 that would push me out of my comfort zone. One of the things we decided to do was a bungee jump.” As soon as that decision was made, Debbie’s colleagues also jumped at the chance to support her. Strathearn Pest Control’s Director, Robert Wilkie, has sponsored the bungee jump for the six members of the team taking part. Now Debbie will be joined by Graeme Malone, Scott Lawson, Colin Liddell, Stuart Blair and Neil Combe as the rest of the team offers support from solid ground. As soon as that decision was made, Debbie’s colleagues also jumped at the chance to support her. Debbie has a long-running relationship with CHSS since her stroke. The support she received in the aftermath has led her to take part in multiple fundraisers and become an ambassador for the charity. It all started with a call to the charity’s Advice Line, which offers expert, and confidential, support for chest, heart, stroke, and Long Covid conditions from a team of specialist nurses. It really was a lifeline for me and I know they’ve helped so many others through dark times and I I would’ve been lost without them. Debbie said: “I sat for a long time before picking up the phone to Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Advice Line. I even hung up a few times before plucking up the courage to stay on the line. “But when I did get through, the nurse was absolutely amazing. I felt like I could really open up and they knew exactly what I was going through and what I needed to hear to make me feel at ease. “It really was a lifeline for me and I know they’ve helped so many others through dark times and I I would’ve been lost without them. “I hope everyone will give what they can so they can be there for other survivors like me who really need their help.” Julianne Scarlett, Fundraising Events Assistant at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland said: “We are incredibly grateful to Debbie for her continued support and for everything she has done over the years to raise vital funds and awareness for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland. “Taking on a bungee jump is a brave and brilliant way to mark such a significant anniversary, and we wish Debbie and the Strathearn Pest Control team the very best of luck for Sunday. “Every pound raised helps us be there for the 1 in 5 people across Scotland living with chest, heart and stroke conditions, and Long Covid.” To support Debbie’s fundraiser please go to www.justgiving.com/page/strathearnpestcontrol-1. If you’re living with the effects of a chest, heart or stroke condition or Long Covid and are 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.