Press release - 21 April 2017 13:36

Survivors take a Step Out for Stroke in Heywood

The Stroke Association is hosting a Step out for Stroke walk in Queens Park, Heywood at 10:30am on Saturday 20 May.

This family fundraising event is open to everyone, regardless of age or ability and the charity is calling on people to register now and take part alongside local stroke survivors and their families.

The day will include lots of family-friendly activities including a fire engine and a children’s footprint trail around the route, as well as a raffle. Local organisations including Alzheimer’s Society, Living Well and Healthwatch will also have information stands on the day.

Alison Gallacher, 52 from Milnrow, will be taking part in the Step out for Stroke in memory of her parents, after they both passed away following strokes. She will be joined by her daughter Jo and their dogs Mia and Ava, as she completes the mile long course.

Alison said: “Having lost both my parents to strokes in recent years, I wanted to raise funds to help others affected by this devastating condition to get the support they need. Jo and I were aiming to raise £200 but we’ve already surpassed this thanks to some very generous donations from friends and family. Our dogs Mia and Ava will be wearing purple ribbons on the day as we complete the walk!”

Louise Lawless, Community and Events Fundraising Manager at the Stroke Association, said: “We’re inviting the whole community to sign-up for our Step Out for Stroke event in Heywood this year and help us make it an event to remember. Our Step Out for Stroke events mark a milestone for many stroke survivors taking part, and it’s an event that the whole family will enjoy.

“We’re looking forward to seeing some truly inspirational people who will be taking their first steps since their stroke. Everyone taking part will be joined by hundreds of people across the UK who are walking to raise vital funds for everyone affected by stroke.”

The Stroke Association is also calling out for local residents to donate raffle prizes and bottles for the day’s bottlebola. There are also stands and stalls available for the day. Please contact joanne.duffy@stroke.org.uk for more information.

To find out more and sign-up to take part in Step Out for Stroke visit www.stroke.org.uk/stepout

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Greater Manchester

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 more than 100,000 strokes in the UK each year; that is around one stroke every five minutes. 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