​Middlesex Dad Takes on the Bridges for Stroke

Donal Madden, 49 from Middlesex, is set to beat the bridges this summer as he takes on the Stroke Association’s Thames Bridges Bike Ride, four years after he had a devastating stroke whilst cycling home from work.

In May 2011, Donal had a major stroke on his way home from work. Donal said, “I was cycling home from work as I usually did, when all of a sudden I felt off balance, which caused me to crash. Luckily I was in a residential area at the time, and someone saw I had crashed and called an ambulance.”

Donal was taken to Kingston Hospital, and later transferred to St George’s Hospital where he underwent brain surgery to stop the bleed on his brain.

On Sunday 10 May 2015 Donal will take on the Thames Bridges Bike Ride with his wife and 6 year old daughter. Donal adds, “I was determined not to let my stroke stop me from doing the things I love to do. Cycling has always been a passion for me, but after my stroke I had weakness in my left side, which made me worried I’d never get back on my bike again. Thankfully, I found out about Companion Cycling, a charity who provide accompanied cycling for the disabled in Bushy Park. They have helped me regain my confidence in cycling so I can take on challenges like the Stroke Association’s Thames Bridges Bike Ride with my family!”

Around 3,000 cyclists will hit the streets of London next 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:

• 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 22nd 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 are aiming to have 3,000 cyclists trying to beat the bridges!”

There are 152,000 strokes every year across the UK. Stroke can happen to anyone at any time and it is the most common cause of severe adult disability in the UK.

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.”

Registration 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.