Anita Wardell - recovering slowly from a recent major stroke

This page has been created by Anita's close friends and family. Her sister, Jacquie, has flown over to the UK from Australia for a few weeks to be with her in hospital and take charge of her financial affairs while Anita is unable to deal with those matters. This is why the funds we raise will be going to help Anita via her sister.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS APPEAL IS COLLECTING THE DONATIONS IN AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS ( 1 Australian Dollar = £0.52 or $0.64 ) !

(Pictured: Anita's mother, her sister Jacquie & Anita )

We are setting up this crowd funding appeal to show our love and support for our dear friend, Anita Wardell; widely known and much loved in the UK & Australia (her home countries) plus the USA, Europe and many other countries, as a world class award winning Jazz singer, phenomenal scat singer, songwriter and inspirational teacher.

On Friday March 22nd 2024, during the interval of a gig where she was performing near London, Anita felt dizzy and collapsed. She was rushed to hospital by fellow band mates, whose quick actions thankfully saved her life.

She had suffered a devastating stroke which paralysed the right-hand side of her body, arm and leg; and left her with some speech difficulties.

Even while initially in an acute stroke ward, the hospital began physiotherapy and speech therapy just a few days after the stroke hit, to start the work on Anita's gradual recovery.

Over the following days and weeks Anita has regained a significantly improved speech, particularly when she is rested. Now she has moved hospitals for more intensive physiotherapy to help her gain further physical ability.

Recovery is challenging and very slow, expected to take many months.

Anita had a flight to Australia booked for 24th March (two days after the stroke) to help care for her mum who has dementia; but obviously she could not go and has lost that flight. If the stroke had happened a couple of days later, mid air, she may well not have survived.

Sadly she is not able to fly back to Australia now; and she will not be able to teach, perform or earn any money for quite some time.

Although Anita's spirits are at times pretty good considering what she has been through; she is, however, left in a difficult place financially.

We hope this crowd funding appeal will help Anita have some kind of stability in the coming months while she recuperates (possibly with the help of carers when she eventually leaves hospital); and when she is able to travel, to fund her trip back to Australia to see her beloved mum.

With gratitude to all the many people who have already sent loving messages of concern for Anita, and to those who will be inspired to help her in any way through this group effort!

This is the best way people can help Anita for the time being, as she needs the space to focus on her recovery.