DEVELOPED AND DESIGNED BY
MARK BOWRA, MBE
Whilst struggling with his recovery in hospital Mark started to put together in a rucksack several items which he was finding helpful with exercising his muscles, mental recovery, and daily tasks. Mark found that these items had played such a significant part in his early recovery that he made a successful application to Help for Heroes for funding to make up a further number of bags to be handed out to other former serving stroke survivors. The feedback from that exercise was that the bags have significant merit. This was a major inspiration for Mark to set up his foundation, one of the major aims of which is to produce a further 500 “Bowra Bags” to present to NHS Trusts around the country to help as wider a group of stroke survivors as possible.
The Bowra bags are also the inspiration for the foundation’s mantra:
''What’s inside matters - change what you think is impossible''
"It’s a privilege to champion this charity. And the Bowra Bag truly equips people to take on the very real challenge of rehabilitation... "
BEAR GRYLLS, ADVENTURER, WRITER, BROADCASTER AND
HONORARY COLONEL, ROYAL MARINES
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"These bags are such a simple idea, they could make all the difference for people having to face the sudden challenge or recovering from a stroke. The contents promote rehabilitation and continue social inclusion.
Giving them the gift also shows that we still hold them in high regard as part of our society. The cleverly thought out contents will help support the three domains of a person’s life – the biological, the psychological and social – well done and thank you''
DR STEVE TOMKINS
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
DORSET HEALTHCARE, NHS
''Everyones experience and recovery journey after stroke is different but it often requires significant changes to physical, social and emotional aspects of their lives. Mark’s idea of providing Bowra Bags based on his own life experience is simple but inspirational. As well as offering practical ideas and solutions, the bags are a gesture of kindness and support at a time which is often extremely challenging. This gift is a timely reminder that ‘what’s inside matters’ as people are coming to terms with their new situation and finding ways to get their lives back on track.''
PROFESSOR LESLEY HAIG,
PHYSIOTHERAPIST & PRINCIPAL
AECC UNIVERSITY COLLEGE