Popular Sheffield shopkeeper ‘felt explosion in her head’ during life-threatening brain haemorrhage

A popular Sheffield shopkeeper has spoken of the moment she felt an ‘explosion in my head’ as she suffered a life-threatening brain haemorrhage.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Donna Beech, who runs the butchers and grocery store Beeches of Walkley with her husband Chris, has thanked members of the community for their support following the scare.

The 59-year-old grandmother-of-five was on the phone to a supplier on January 7 – which was Chris’ 49th birthday – when she felt a sharp pain at the back of her neck.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It made my neck go all stiff and the next moment I felt an explosion in my head,” she said.

Chris and Donna Beech at their shop Beeches of WalkleyChris and Donna Beech at their shop Beeches of Walkley
Chris and Donna Beech at their shop Beeches of Walkley

Chris rushed her to the Northern General Hospital, where she learned she had suffered a spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage – a rare type of potentially fatal stroke, which was caused by a burst blood vessel.

She was transferred to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, where she spent the next 11 days before being discharged to continue her recovery.

Despite the ordeal, Donna considers herself ‘very lucky’ to be among the 20 per cent of people she was told survive the condition without undergoing surgery.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She now recognises how much stress she had been under and says what happened gave her the chance to take some time to reassess what really matters.

A window display at Beeches of Walkley thanking members of the community for their supportA window display at Beeches of Walkley thanking members of the community for their support
A window display at Beeches of Walkley thanking members of the community for their support

One thing which kept her spirits up was the outpouring of goodwill from the community she and Chris have served for the last decade.

She was showered with cards and gifts, and at Walkley’s popular monthly cabaret night the news of her discharge from hospital generated a bigger cheer than any act that evening.

“That shows the sort of community that’s behind me, and how much people here appreciate what we do, for which we’re so grateful,” said Donna.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“But it’s important people show their support for local businesses by shopping here because it’s a case of use us or lose us.”

Donna remains off work as she continues her recovery but Chris is pushing ahead with plans to set up a new Post Office branch, which is due to open within the store on South Road on March 9.

Related topics: