He played the role of Santa every year, bringing joy to countless children - but then a spinal stroke stopped him in his tracks.

Jonty Clark, 61, was left with three paralysed limbs after what should have been routine minor rotator cuff surgery in May. He spent 84 days in hospital, including time in intensive care and a high dependency unit, and was finally allowed out in August.

But despite being delighted to be home, he was worried his sudden paralysis would stop him being Father Christmas at a residential primary school, a role he loves.

“Because I lacked strength in my arms and couldn’t use my hands, it was with a heavy heart that I had to ask the headteacher to find a replacement Father Christmas for this year,” Jonty from Marsh Green, near Edenbridge, remembers.

Despite his fears, he was determined to get as much mobility back as possible and supercharged his rehab by attending Neurokinex, a specialist activity-based rehabilitation centre near Gatwick.

Staff ran tests to see what signals might be getting through to his hands and he was astonished when the middle finger in his right hand flexed.

“There wasn’t a dry eye in the house,” says Jonty. “Finally, I had something to work with.”

Neurokinex has one of only three specialised neuromuscular electrical stimulation devices in the country. This high-parameter device stimulates Jonty’s nervous system in such a way that it promotes recovery of his upper body and hands.

After eight weeks of intensive rehab at the Cleveland Clinic in Central London during which time he had made a significant improvement in his lower body, Jonty could walk quite well and felt stronger but was still weak in his upper body and his hands remained largely unresponsive.

“I had to use my hands like shovels as I had no movement in my fingers, hands or wrists,” recalls Jonty.

“Also, I was advised that this might not improve, which was hard to hear.”

Jonty is the CEO of the Beckmead Trust which runs 16 special schools in London and the South East which care for children with social, emotional and mental health issues and those with autism and challenging behaviour.

“I absolutely love what I do and count myself lucky that I was able to get back to working after my spinal cord injury,” says Jonty.

“In fact, working towards my return was hugely motivating for me during my early days of rehab.”

Focusing on goal-based functional moves, Neurokinex helps clients regain independence and confidence. The gains may seem small, but they make a difference to daily life.

“Getting back even simple things – like being able to push my glasses up my nose – make a huge difference to my day-to-day. Before going to Neurokinex, I didn’t have the strength in my arms to raise my hands that high,” explains Jonty.

When Neurokinex heard about Jonty having to decline the chance to be Father Christmas, they took it as a challenge and set about working on how he could fulfil this role which was clearly so important to him.

“After just a few sessions working specifically on arm strength and hand motion, I called the school and told them to cancel the reserve Father Christmas,” continues Jonty.

“This is just one example of how Neurokinex is making me think differently. They don’t take ‘no’ for an answer: they say you can do this and indeed I can!”

Jonty is also looking forward to spending time with his family for a Christmas that he may not have seen.

“I hope to be able to stay up for the whole day with my new-found stamina and am looking forward to playing with my three-year-old granddaughter,” he adds.

“I’m not yet back to being my usual rough-and-tumble grandpa but I’m working on it!”