3 routes, 2 wheels, 1 great cause

16 February 2015

3 routes, 2 wheels, 1 great cause

Chris Wright, from Medstead, wants to invite others to join him and help conquer stroke by taking part in the Thames Bridges Bike Ride on Sunday 10 May 2015. Chris who has had a mini-stroke (Transient Ischemic Attack) wants to raise awareness of stroke and help others.

Chris said “It’s 6 years since I had a TIA and I want to make sure that people know they must seek medical attention quickly.I woke up one morning with a humdinger of a head ache. Took a couple of paracetamol and went to work. The same thing happened 24 hours later but as I picked up my car keys I kept dropping them. Instead of going to work I called into the Doctors surgery, where I was told to go to Basingstoke Hospital. With the help of a friend, who was a Senior OT, I was seen by a medical team and was diagnosed with a TIA. My physical symptoms cleared within a week or so.However I was surprised that my emotional well-being and mental capacity took a good 6 weeks before my brain re-booted.”

Chris will be joining around 3,000 cyclists who will hit the streets of London during Action on Stroke Month (May), this year, for the Thames Bridges Bike Ride, taking in capitals most iconic sights, whilst raising vital funds for the Stroke Association.

The charity hopes to raise much needed funds for its work supporting people living with effects of stroke. There are three routes people can sign up to:

• Chris      will be taking part in the ‘Extended’ 50 mile route, the longest and most      challenging of the three routes which takes on 50 miles of cycling fun.

• The ‘Classic’      route, for the rider in us all, taking on 16 bridges, covering 34 miles.

• The ‘Family’      8 mile route, where trikes and tandems are very welcome!

The Thames Bridges Bike Ride was originally set up by the son of a stroke survivor and his friends who wanted to raise money for the Stroke Association. Now in its 22^nd year, the ride sees nearly 3,000 families, friends and keen cyclists from across the country take to their bikes to raise much needed funds to support stroke survivors.

Julia Selby, Events Manager from the Stroke Association says, “The Thames Bridges Bike Ride is one of the Stroke Association’s most loved fundraising events. Every May, cyclists take to the streets of London to complete the bike ride, crossing London’s most famous and beautiful bridges along the way.The event has grown year on year and in 2015 we’re delighted that Chris is joining us to beat the bridges!”

Around 46,000 people in the UK have a first incidence of a TIA every year. The symptoms are the same as stroke, but usually resolve in 24hours.However it should be treated as seriously as a stroke.1in 12 people will have a stroke within a week of having a TIA.

This year, the Thames Bridges Bike Ride will be sponsored by Vision Express. Julia continues, “We’re absolutely delighted to have Vision Express on the Thames Bridges Bike Ride team this year. Visual problems affect up to two thirds of stroke survivors so we know it’s a topic that really matters.With Vision Express’s support, we’re proud to be bringing you the Thames Bridges Bike Ride in 2015 and helping to ensure people with visual difficulties after a stroke get the support they need.”

You can register to take part in the Thames Bridges Bike Ride is now open. So in 3, 2, 1, why not contact the Stroke Association’s Events Team on 020 7940 1359 or visit http://www.stroke.org.uk/TBBRto book a place and beat the bridges.

For more information about stroke, ring the Helpline on 0303 30 33 100 or visit www.stroke.org.uk.

Ends

For more information, please contact Cheryl Randeria, Regional PR and Media Officer at the Stroke Association on 07810 697957.

Photo caption: Photo of Chris on one of my Vintage "Flying Gates" on a club ride in Emsworth