Press release - 4 September 2017 09:13

Essex stroke survivor set to tackle Thames Bridges Bike Ride

An Essex stroke survivor is gearing up to take part in the Stroke Association’s Thames Bridges Bike Ride on Sunday 01 October.

Stephen Culham, 49, from Westcliffe-on-Sea, had a stroke in January 2013. As Stephen was getting ready for work one morning, he felt unwell and called his son to get his wife. Stephen’s wife quickly spotted that he was having a stroke and dialled 999. The stroke has left Stephen with a communication difficulty called aphasia, and right-sided weakness.

Stephen said: "I’ve been working really hard in the gym to build up my strength on my right-hand side. I’ve found cycling a great way to build muscle and endurance, and I have really grown to love getting on my bike since my stroke.

“I recently completed London to Brighton bike ride in June, it was an amazing day but it took all I had to get over the finish line. I wanted to take on the Thames Bridges Bike Ride to help raise more awareness and money for the Stroke Association.

“I’ll be joined by my two friends and work colleagues, Dave Brown and Michael Foster, who I know will help push me through the last leg of the ride!”

Thames Bridges Bike Ride 2017 will start at Kings House Sports Ground in Chiswick and participants can take part in a 55, 35 or eight-mile circular route. Each route will lead cyclists through London; taking in world-famous landmarks, crossing iconic and beautiful Thames Bridges.

Emma Evans, Events Manager at the Stroke Association, said: “With around 1.2 million people across the UK living with the devastating impact of stroke, it is vital that we have people like Stephen at our Thames Bridges Bike Ride to raise funds and help us conquer stroke. The money raised will fund vital research and support for stroke survivors, as well as help to prevent people from having a stroke.

“We’re delighted that Stephen has made such a great recovery from his stroke and is taking on the challenge for us. Thames Bridges Bike Ride is always such a fun event, we’re really looking forward to cheering on all the cyclists as they ride through London.”

Thames Bridges Bike Ride will take place on Sunday 01 October 2017. The bike ride will start at alongside the Thames at Kings House Sports Ground. Supporters can take part in our eight, 35 or 55 mile route. For more information, please visit: www.stroke.org.uk/TBBR

To sponsor Stephen and his team, please visit: www.justgiving.com/david-brown220

Topics

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