Press release -
Royal Mail staff team up to take on festive fundraiser for stroke
Four members of staff from the Royal Mail got into the Christmas spirit as they took on the Stroke Association’s Santa 5k Run on Sunday 7 December in Richmond Park, London.
Sarah Homapour, 23, from Pinner works at the Royal Mail and volunteered to take part in the challenge after the Stroke Association was chosen as Royal Mail Group’s Charity of the Year.
To support the partnership, Sarah and a team of three other members of staff from the Royal Mail, will take on the festive 5k run in London, wearing a Santa suit!
Gary Grange, Community Investment Manager at Royal Mail, said: “It’s fantastic to see fundraisers like Sarah and the team supporting our Charity of the Year and doing everything they can to help us to raise vital funds in aid of Life after Stroke grants. In the next two years, we want to raise at least £2 million for the Stroke Association, so that we can change the lives of thousands of people affected by stroke.”
Sarah added: “Nothing says it’s Christmas like dressing up in a Santa suit and running around London! I took part in the run because I wanted to support the fantastic work the Stroke Association does, and to ensure they can be there for families who are affected by stroke. Being joined by my colleagues made for a really fun experience!”
Rob Hope, Regional Fundraiser at the Stroke Association, added: “Stroke can be devastating, but with the support of people like Sarah and her team we can make a real difference to people affected by stroke. The event was a huge success and it was clear to see that the Royal Mail team were having a great time on the day! We are really thankful to the group for raising funds for us, and helping us to conquer stroke.”
The Stroke Association was chosen as Royal Mail Group’s Charity of the Year after receiving almost 40,000 staff votes. The company aims to raise at least £2 million for the Stroke Association over the course of the partnership. Every penny raised will help the charity provide Life After Stroke grants of up to £300 to help 10,000 stroke survivors. These grants fund equipment to give stroke survivors more independence and support as they take their first steps back into the community.
For more information about stroke, ring the Helpline on 0303 30 33 100 or visit www.stroke.org.uk.
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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.
