Delivering for a good cause: Royal Mail announces Stroke Association as new charity partner

Royal Mail Group has announced the Stroke Association as its new charity partner for the next two years. The Stroke Association was chosen to be Royal Mail Group’s new Charity of the Year after employees selected the charity in a staff vote. 

The company aims to raise at least £2 million for the Stroke Association over the course of the partnership. Royal Mail will match every penny raised by colleagues, up to £1 million.  

Funds raised will help the charity provide Life After Stroke grants of up to £300 to help 10,000 stroke survivors. The partnership will also seek to raise awareness of the condition, as well as steps people can take to reduce their stroke risk. 

There are around 152,000 strokes in the UK every year and it is the leading cause of severe adult disability. There are over 1.2 million people in the UK living with the effects of stroke.  

Royal Mail Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Moya Greene, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Stroke Association to support their valuable work. Our colleagues voted to support this important charity and we look forward to working closely together over the next two years. We will work very hard so that our support can make a real difference to Stroke Association’s work and overall aim to conquer stroke. 

“We are proud that we were able to raise £2.3 million for our previous charity partner, Prostate Cancer UK and hope this will act as a lasting legacy for the charity.”  

Jon Barrick, Chief Executive of the Stroke Association, said: “Our partnership with the Royal Mail is a fantastic opportunity to help us conquer stroke. The vital funds raised will support our Life After Stroke Grants: a lifeline which helps stroke survivors make their best possible recovery.  

“Stroke is the killer disease that’s been ignored for too long. Through the incredible generosity of individuals and staff at Royal Mail Group, we can do even more to help transform the lives of people living with this devastating condition.”   

The Stroke Association offers a range of services for stroke survivors to support them in their life after stroke. For more information on stroke and support available contact the Stroke Helpline on: 0303 3033 100 or visit www.stroke.org.uk.  

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For further information, please contact the Stroke Association’s media team on 020 7566 1500 or email press@stroke.org.uk  

Notes to Editors 

About the Stroke Association 
A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain. There are around 152,000 strokes in the UK every year and it is the leading cause of severe adult disability. There are over 1.2 million people in the UK living with the effects of stroke.  
Stroke Association is a charity. We believe in life after stroke and together we can conquer stroke. We work directly with stroke survivors and their families and carers, with health and social care professionals and with scientists and researchers. We campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best recovery they can. We fund research to develop new treatments and ways of
preventing stroke. The Stroke Helpline (0303 303 3100) provides information and support on stroke. More information can be found at www.stroke.org.uk   

About Royal Mail Group 
Fundraising forms part of Royal Mail Group’s active support of communities across the UK. During 2013-14, the company contributed £9.8 million directly to charities, good causes and schemes for disadvantaged groups. The company also supported £3.3 million of colleague fundraising for charities and good causes across the UK.  
In 2013-14 Royal Mail Group provided almost £690,000 in matched giving to support employees’ fundraising for around 344 charities all around the UK, including its Charity of the Year.  
In early 2014, the company celebrated reaching 25 years and £50 million in charitable donations through its payroll giving scheme. The generosity of Royal Mail Group’s employees has been recognised by two National Payroll Giving Excellence Awards and a Platinum Payroll Giving Quality Mark Award.