M&S Nottingham takes to the skies for the Stroke Association

Staff at M&S Nottingham took to the skies for an extra special fundraising event in support of their chosen charity of the year, the Stroke Association.

A total of 12 members of the team completed a sponsored sky dive at Langar airfield on Sunday, 13 March, through which they raised over £6,000 - taking the total money raised throughout the year to over £10,000.

The staff at M&S Nottingham chose the Stroke Association as their charity of the year in April last year and have hosted various instore activities throughout the year, including bag packing, bake and craft sales for staff, and employees have cycled a total of 80 miles and rowed the channel at the front of the store. A nurse from the Stroke Association has spent a day in-store doing customers blood pressure checks to raise awareness of the link between high blood pressure and stroke, and to offer customers advice and information.

The Stroke Association is the leading charity in the UK championing people affected by stroke. The Stroke Association has helped improve treatments and care which has saved tens of thousands of lives, offering support to people who have had a stroke - as well as their loved ones - to build a life after stroke.

Briony Oates, Commercial Manager at M&S Nottingham, said: “Each year our M&S stores across the UK select local charities to support and we are delighted with the dedication our employees have shown to raise money for this great cause, which is close to many of their hearts.”

Elaine Moulds, Commercial Manager at M&S Nottingham said; “Following the death of my father, who suffered a stroke, I feel fully committed to the charity and the work that it does. After seeing someone close to me suffer, it heightened my awareness of the damage stroke can cause and helped educate me in the invaluable work the charity does. It’s great that we are able to raise money for a cause that is so vital to our community.”

Louise Knight, Community and Events Fundraising Manager from the Stroke Association, said: “We were thrilled when we found out that M&S Nottingham would be supporting our charity. It is vital that we continue to raise awareness of stroke, which is one of the greatest health challenges of our time. Generous fundraising and voluntary donations like this one from the M&S team allow us to continue our important research and provide dedicated care and support for people affected by stroke."

For more information on M&S, visit www.marksandspencer.com. For more information on the Stroke Association, visit www.stroke.org.uk.