Stroke support group chairman Mark Selley, a stroke survivor himself, felt the least he could do to show his appreciation of Marilyn Steede's gesture is to be there every step of the way to cheer her own.

Mr. Selley calls Ms Steede's walk an "honourable effort" and will ride around the Island with her in a vehicle as she pounds the pavement for 24-hours non-stop to help raise funds for a Stroke Rehabilitation Unit at the hospital.

The location for that unit has also been identified as the Gordon Ward and it is also hoped the unit will have the capability to deal with spinal injuries.

"It's all been approved," said Mr. Selley, chairman of the Bermuda Stroke and Family Support Association.

"Eventually it will fall under the hospital's responsibility but the Stroke Association will get it up and running. It will involve training and special needs equipment, to provide acute care and rehabilitation."

Mr. Selley explained that the association had about $500,000 set aside for the unit and was looking to reach the million dollar mark. Either way the unit will go ahead, he assures.

"I started the Stroke Association 12 years ago and have been working towards this (unit) the last ten years," explained Mr. Selley who had his stroke on November 25, 1991.

He is extremely grateful for Ms Steede's efforts.

"I'm blown away by her enthusiasm," he said.

"When you think how many charities are out there looking for help. This is somebody who hasn't had any past involvement with our group, but she has been, probably since Christmas, attending our meetings to find out what we're about and to meet some of the clients."

Mr. Selley estimates there are about 104 people suffering strokes each year, roughly two a week. The support group is there to help both the survivors and family members.

It is planned that three members of the Stroke Association will be in the vehicle at all times, with Mr. Selley planning to be there the whole time to support Ms. Steede.

"I know she can do it, I can tell she has the fire in her belly to do it," he stated.