The community has rallied to support a highly regarded teacher at an Andover school after he suffered a devastating stroke earlier this month.
Jay Mann, who is an English teacher at Harrow Way School, sadly suffered two strokes on Sunday, November 3, while out walking with his wife Jo.
An emergency brain surgery at Southampton Hospital successfully removed a blood clot at the base of his skull, and he was later transferred to Winchester Hospital.
Now, a fundraiser set up to cover the costs of his physiotherapy and rehabilitation has raised more than £13,500 within 24 hours of launching on Monday, November 11.
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READ MORE:The GoFundMe campaign, organised by family friend Chris Hooper, aims to provide financial support for Jay's recovery, which includes intensive physiotherapy.
Jay, who is in his early 50s, is described as a dedicated and beloved teacher and mentor, deeply loved by students and colleagues.
Beyond the classroom, he’s been an active member of the local sports scene, playing for clubs like Andover Cricket Club, Andover Town Football Club, Andover New Street, Winchester City and Overton.
Chris, who has known Jay for years through football, was inspired to act after hearing of his sudden health crisis.
"It was just a real shock," he said.
"We thought if we could raise money for private physiotherapy, it could accelerate his recovery and give him the best chance of getting back on his feet.
"The NHS has been great. They do a remarkable job, but they're just a bit stretched on time. This is absolutely not disparaging. I think most people would acknowledge that if you go private, you just got more chance of getting the flexibility and early appointments."
The response to the fundraiser has been overwhelming, with nearly 500 people donating in just one day.
"It’s remarkable," Chris said.
"We raised £10,000 in the first four hours. Jay has done so much for the community, and this is their chance to give back."
Now back home from the hospital, Jay is making steady progress.
"He’s walking and talking," Chris said, "but early and intensive rehabilitation is critical for his recovery."
While the initial fundraising target has been surpassed, Chris said the need for support is ongoing.
"We were initially raising money for six to eight weeks of physiotherapy, but it might not be enough," he said.
"We’re asking for continued generosity."
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The campaign’s success has largely been driven by word of mouth and the sheer volume of people Jay has positively impacted over the years.
"He’s just so popular," Chris said.
"There wasn’t any structured campaign—it’s all been organic."
To support Jay Mann’s recovery, visit the GoFundMe campaign at:
gofundme.com/f/support-jay-manns-recovery-journey
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