A dad has been left "locked in his body" - after a headache turned out to be a life-altering stroke. "

Gareth Bayley, from Bexley, southeast London had been complaining of headaches for around a week back in April 2022, but assumed it was just everyday stress.

However, when the dad-of-two called his wife Karen while at work to say he didn't feel well, she knew something was wrong.

She rushed to pick him up and his colleagues said he had collapsed and suffered a fit.

The builder continued to have seizures while at hospital and it wasn't until the next day that doctors realised he'd had a stroke - at the age of just 38.

The stroke Gareth suffered was in his brain stem - the most life-altering place it could occur.

This led to him developing Locked-In Syndrome, a rare neurological condition that that leaves a person fully conscious but almost completely paralysed.

Doctors told the family Gareth would likely never move again, but Karen says that over the past three years he has "has defied every single expectation". "

Gareth cannot speak or move his limbs but he remains mentally alert - and has regained small but significant functions such as facial expressions.

He even communicates with his family through blinking, spelling out words one letter at a time.

And now, Karen and the kids are on a mission to raise £35,000 for life-changing equipment - that could help Gareth regain vital movement.

Karen said: "Gareth is one in a million to me. He's very outgoing and the life and soul of the party. "

"He was the first one there if anyone needed help. "

"He is still him – he's fully there and remembers everything. It's just he can't speak or move."

"It's like he's trapped in his own body."

"Doctors told us he would likely never move again, apart from slight eye movements."

"But Gareth is a fighter. Over the past three years, he has regained some movement: he smiles, he laughs, and his expressions have returned in ways we were told might never happen. "

"Every small step forward has given us hope that more recovery is possible."

The family are even more hopeful as of late after hearing about a special piece of equipment called a Functional Electrical Stimulation Bike.

This is a rehabilitation device that uses electrical pulses to stimulate paralysed muscles and could enable Gareth's arms and legs to move together

However, it can only be sourced from the United States - and comes with a hefty price tag of £35,000.

Karen said: "We did try to get it funded as he is in a care home, but because it was so expensive, the funding got refused as it wasn't deemed an 'essential piece of equipment'."

"But to us it is essential. If I can get him this bike it will be amazing."

"It would help increase his muscle strength, prevent pressure sores, improve the movement range with his arms and legs, help his joint mobility, and help his muscle spasms."

"It could give Gareth the best possible chance at further recovery, independence, and dignity."

Since his stroke, Gareth has been moved between hospitals, rehab centres, and care homes.

But Karen hopes he can live with her and the children again if they secure the bike.

She said: "My husband has expressed that he wants to come home and be with me and the children again."

"But it's the case of getting the equipment."

"He has physio once a week in his care home and they've said if we can get the equipment, I can have training."

"The goal is then to have him back home again."

According to Karen, the public's response to Gareth's story has been overwhelmingly supportive.

The devoted wife said: "It's been amazing. The response I've had from it has been fantastic."

"It's a little overwhelming – people who don't even know me or my husband have donated money and been so generous."

"It's been completely life-changing – he was 38 and I didn't associate a stroke with someone that age."

"But you don't know what can happen overnight, it's turned our world upside down."

To donate to the family's GoFundMe, visit this page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/fes-bike-for-gareth