Friends of a primary school headteacher from The Lizard who collapsed from a severe stroke in the run up to Christmas have begun fundraising.

Kathryn Carter, the 46-year-old headteacher at St Levan Primary School in Penzance, was attending the Christmas Carolaire at The Lizard Lifeboat Station, within walking distance from her house, when she collapsed.

She was taken by ambulance to Helston Cricket Club and then airlifted in the coastguard helicopter to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

She remains in hospital in Redruth and has begun the slow process of recovery, although currently unable to use her left side, and is awaiting a further operation on her skull.

Now family friends have started fundraising for the Stroke Association.

Kathryn’s 20-year-old goddaughter Hannah Doughty and her 13-year-old sister Megan, who live in Farnborough, Hampshire with their parents Ben and Sally, who have known Kathryn since their school days, are taking part in a charity run in Southampton today. 

They have set up an online fundraising page at justgiving.com/fundraising/hannah-megan9907 to raise as much money in support of the charity that is likely to support ‘AK’ (Aunty Kathryn) as she progresses.

Ben said: “She had a massive explosion and a bright light happening in her head, and can remember it happening as the stroke happened.

“She currently can't use her left side but says she can feel some pain. She has been on an electric exercise bike and done two miles on it, but has been told to stop due to a possible further blood clot that they are treating.

“We would like to express our thanks to the nurse who stayed with her from the beginning, until the helicopter took off, the lifeboat station crew and HM Coastguard teams, as well as all the other medical professionals and support staff who have helped her so far and continue to do so.”

Kathryn’s parents have currently relocated to The Lizard from their home in South Wales to support her.

Read more: Low flying helicopter in Helston was part of emergency airlift