FAWLEY refinery has donated thousands of pounds to a charity that is helping a former employee recover from a near-fatal stroke.
Paul White, 53, is gradually rebuilding his life thanks to the generosity of former colleagues at the refinery and the aid of rehabilitation experts.
Paul, an electrical engineer who worked at ExxonMobil Fawley for 15 years, was taken ill a year ago.
Now the company has given Action for Rehabilitation from Neurological Injury (ARNI) £3,000 to help it continue working with stroke survivors.
Paul, of Winchester, said: "There were times when my family thought I wasn’t going to make it.
"It's been difficult for everyone but thanks to the medical staff, my family and friends and ARNI, I’m beginning to get my life back."
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Paul was taken ill last December, eight months after leaving ExxonMobil.
Following his stroke and an operation to relieve pressure on his brain, which involved removing part of his skull, he spent three months at a rehabilitation facility.
Paul said: "It's affected the left side of my body, but I am still here.
"Our house had to be converted for my wheelchair and my friend, John Thompson, raised a lot of money to help pay for a lift.
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"I used to love cycling and I’m really looking forward to getting a specially-adapted electric trike so I can get back to it."
John, an electrical engineering supervisor at ExxonMobil, has been friends with Paul since he started working there ten years ago.
"He was already at Fawley and we immediately became friends over our love of cars," he said.
"When Paul’s wife Gail told me about his stroke things didn’t look good. Thankfully he pulled through and is now looking to the future with his usual good humour.
"I set up a GoFundMe account and we quickly raised £3,600 towards the cost of a lift.
"When ExxonMobil said they were able to make a donation, Paul said he wanted it to go to ARNI, which has really helped him with his rehabilitation.
"Hopefully he'll continue to improve. His great wit will definitely help see him through."
An ARNI spokesperson said: "We'll ensure every penny of this superb donation goes straight to helping stroke survivors who need rehabilitation."
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