More than 10,000 people “all around the globe” have rallied round a man as he recovers from a devastating stroke.

Geoff Smith, 49, of South Woodham Ferrers, suffered a haemorrhagic stroke in March.

He needed life-saving surgery to remove part of his skull to relieve the pressure on his brain.

Following the craniectomy at Queen’s Hospital in Romford, wife Jo, 48, set up a blog for supporters to send their messages.

A total of 12,000 people now follow the page – called ‘Geoff’s Journey’ – which has been sharing his progress after surgery, as well as some happy memories before the almost fatal incident.

Braintree and Witham Times:

Patients suffer from a haemorrhagic stroke when an artery inside the brain bursts and begins to bleed inside.

Jo said Geoff is currently recovering in Broomfield Hospital, while making “impressive” progress in his physiotherapy.

She said: “We are constantly reminded that we will experience stumbles along the way so these are expected, although hard to experience both for him and us as a family.

“Physio so far has been positive and it has been reported that he can put a little weight on his paralysed leg with some support under his paralysed arm.

"Physio reports say Geoff is so strong on his left side that he needs to remember to use his right also.”

Fitness fanatic Geoff has three children – Paige, Josh and Georgie – and was formerly an officer in the Territorial Army.

Braintree and Witham Times:

He spent most of his first week after surgery in critical care.

Geoff celebrated his 49th birthday in hospital with eldest daughter Paige and wife Jo.

After setting up Geoff’s Journey on Facebook, Jo was astonished by the amount of support she and Geoff have received, not only from friends and loved ones but also complete strangers.

Jo has also set up a GoFundMe page to raise cash for the Stroke Association, which has already broken the £700 barrier.

She was amazed to find people from “all around the globe” have come together to support Geoff.

Jo said: “The response from Geoff’s Journey has been overwhelming and to be honest, I personally do not know what I would have done without it. 

"Never in a million years did we expect it to grow this much or this quick.

“Geoff’s journey was largely set up to inspire people who may have suffered from a stroke or indeed any other debilitating condition.

"However, I think it has inspired and touched so many people for many different reasons.

“Reading our story and watching Geoff’s recovery, we hope people will be able to see how precious life is and how your world can be potentially turned upside down in a split second.”

Follow Geoff’s Journey on Facebook and support the family by donating here.