​Queen Elizabeth Hospital year-long fundraising boosts the Stroke Association

The stroke team at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham have raised more than £2,500 for the Stroke Association, after a year of fundraising challenges.

During 2016, the staff team on Ward 514 including Nurses, Healthcare Assistants, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Doctors, have organised a variety of fundraising events. Challenges have included cake sales, a 65 mile cycle ride around Bristol, and fundraising fire walks.

Rachael Jones, Stroke Nurse Practitioner at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, said: “We all work in acute stroke in various roles and many of us also have personal or family experience of stroke, so we’re very passionate about making a difference for stroke survivors”.

“Each year we organise fundraising activities for the Stroke Association, as well as for our own stroke unit. During 2016, we’ve held bake sales, atrium stands, bike rides, fire walks and abseils. And next year we’re taking on a shark dive!

“We work closely with the Stroke Association and want to raise awareness of stroke and also raise vital funds to support those who have been affected by stroke. We see first-hand how the long term support that the Stroke Association provides makes a real difference to our patient’s lives.”

Louise Lawless, Community and Events Fundraising Manager at the Stroke Association, said: “With around 1.2 million people across the UK living with the devastating impact of stroke, it’s vital that we have people like to the dedicated team on ward 514 to help raise funds. We’re incredibly grateful to the stroke team at Queen Elizabeth Hospital for choosing to support the Stroke Association; the money that has been raised will go a long way in helping to support people who are living with the effects of stroke, as well as their families and carers.”

For more information about the Stroke Association, visit www.stroke.org.uk or call the Helpline on 0303 303 3100.