The family of former IFP chief executive Nick Cann have spoken movingly of the “cruel” blow he suffered in having a stroke and the impact it has had on all of their lives ever since.

The Stroke Association has released a video of the family speaking about trying to cope with his new circumstances.

Watch the video in full below.

It was made to coincide with awarding Mr Cann, 53, a National Fundraising Award in recognition of his efforts for the charity. A project he began has so far raised a total of £57,000.

His wife Jo, who also works in financial services, described his “big, bold, funny” personality and said that he was the life and soul of the party.

She said he was often the centre of attention and “very fun, very kind, very generous – that’s what probably attracted me to him the first place”.

Ms Cann explained she was in a meeting when she got a phone call from a paramedic saying her husband had collapsed during a speech on Financial Planning – but she didn’t know he had a stroke initially. It happened near to Easter in 2013.

When she arrived at hospital he couldn’t move, with no movement down his right side and he couldn’t speak at all.

She said: “I wasn’t expecting just how severe it was…his speech was his job, his speech was this life and he loved stand up comedy.”

She recalled notes from her diary at the time in which she pondered why the family had been “dealt a cruel hand” and asking ‘why us?’, when they were so happy together.

She said she wrote at that time: “All of our plans are in shreds.”

Jemma, one of Mr Cann’s daughters, said her dad is “very caring, always puts his children first”.

She said: “He did so much speaking, to lose that was cruel - and it is really cruel.

“Three and a half years later you’re still coming to terms with that and not knowing still if you are ever going to hear him say sentences, make a speech at your weeding, that’s still something I find difficult.

“He is still my dad but it’s not the same as when I was growing up.”

Speaking about his fundraising and award, Jemma said: “My father has always been a huge source of inspiration for all three of his children. I am incredibly proud of how far he has come since we first saw him in the hospital after his stroke.

“He is my hero and I am delighted that his grit and determination is being celebrated.”

Daughter Bec explained there was “a lot of motivation and determination in our family” that had helped them to battle his condition and raise money at the same time.

Rhys, his son, said he was the “most intelligent man in the room”.

Mr Cann from Monmouthshire received the award from Martin Lewis and Stephen K Amos.

Mr Cann said: “I don’t remember much about the day but I have been told my face dropped, my speech became slurry and I collapsed.

“I found it very difficult when my family and close friends came to visit. I could not communicate with my children.

“I have aphasia and dyspraxia and, though I can now read and write most things, I really struggled with it at the time. I couldn’t speak for weeks and had confusion with yes and no. Initially I couldn’t even say or write my name. I used photos to help me get started.”

Mr Cann’s Project Phoenix has raised £57,000.

Along with other members of the family, Nick’s wife Jo completed the London to Paris bike ride in 2014 and raised over £25,000.

In spite of his difficulties and being a “rather reluctant cyclist”, Mr Cann took on the 108-mile Cardiff to Tenby bike ride for The Stroke Association recently and raised almost £7,000.

To find out more about the Life after Stroke Awards visit www.stroke.org.uk