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Chris Tarrant
Chris Tarrant

Press release -

Life After Stroke Awards winners announced

Life After Stroke Awards winners announced

A host of celebrities join forces with the Stroke Association today (Wednesday 16 November) to honour the courage and dedication of stroke survivors, carers, volunteers and health professionals.

The Stroke Association’s Life After Stroke Awards will be presented to nine winners at a star-studded ceremony, sponsored by TONI&GUY Charitable Foundation, NEXT plc, and Irwin Mitchell, at the London’s Dorchester Hotel on 16 November.

The ceremony will be hosted by Chris Tarrant and guests will include football’s first lady and Life After Stroke Awards Patron Karren Brady, Grantchester star James Norton, TV presenter Vogue Williams and screen icon Rudolph Walker.

The charity’s Life After Stroke Awards recognise the courage and determination of stroke survivors, and celebrate the commitment and dedication given by carers, health professionals and volunteers.

Winners range from 14-year-old stroke survivor, Connor Lynes, who had to put his rugby dreams aside following a stroke at the age of 13, to 71-year-old Sean Crane, a custodian of the Hurst Castle in Hampshire, who had a stroke two years ago and still struggles with his speech.

The 2016 Life After Stroke Award winners are:

  • Carer Award: Paul Massey, 70, from Griton, Cambridge
  • Children & Young People’s Courage Award Connor Lynes,14, from Hull
  • Adult Courage Award (18-64): John Smejka, 59, from Navenby in Lincolnshire
  • Volunteer Award: Julie Monk, 49, from Leicester
  • Professional Excellence Award: Christine Brown, 76, from Wicham Bishops, Malden
  • Fundraiser of the Year Award: Nick Cann, 53, from Monmouthshire, Wales
  • Creative Arts Award: John Sommerville, 65, from High Barnet, London
  • Adult Courage Award (65+): Sean Crane, 71, from Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire
  • Stroke Group Award: Swale Stroke Group

Dominic Brand, Director of External Affairs at The Stroke Association, said: “It’s an honour to recognise the extraordinary achievements of our Life After Stroke Award winners. Stroke strikes every three and a half minutes in the UK,and can cause a devastating level of disability. One in three survivors have difficulty speaking and understanding, for example, which can be terrifying and isolating. But with the Stroke Association’s support, people can make tremendous recoveries.

“Our Life After Stroke Awards are about celebrating stories of courage, commitment and determination, and giving a group of incredible people their chance to shine and inspire others.”

The nominations for next year’s awards are now open. To find out more about the Life after Stroke Awards please visit www.stroke.org.uk/lasa

Ends

For further information: please contact Prarthana Rao at the Stroke Association, on 0207 566 1528 or email prarthana.rao@stroke.org.uk

Notes to Editor:

The Stroke Association

  • 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.
  • The 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
  • Christmas is the loneliest time to be lost for words. After a stroke, around one in three survivors have difficulty speaking and understanding, which can be terrifying and isolating. But with the Stroke Association’s support, people can find new ways to communicate. Find out how you can help at www.stroke.org.uk/lostforwords or search for #lostforwords
  • The 2016 Life After Stroke Awards are sponsored by TONI &GUY Charitable Foundation. More information can be found at: www.toniandguyfoundation.org.uk
  • Irwin Mitchell is over 100 years old and is one of the largest law firms in the UK. There are offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Leeds, London, Manchester, Middlesbrough (Consulting Office), Newcastle, Sheffield and Southampton. Irwin Mitchell has also completed the acquisitions of Specialist Personal Injury firm MPH Solicitors and private wealth firm Berkeley Law in the past two years. For more information visitwww.irwinmitchell.com
  • Onecom is the UK’s leading business to business mobile phone provider and manages more than 335,000 connections throughout the UK. Onecom specialises in tailored fixed line and mobile solutions for businesses ranging from SMEs to large corporates. Onecom is headquartered in Whiteley, Hampshire, and also has offices in London, Cambridge, Shoeburyness, Cardiff, Southampton, Plymouth, Leeds, Telford, Norwich and Brighton. Find out more at www.onecom.co.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 one of the largest causes of 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

Contacts

Angela Macleod

Angela Macleod

Press contact Communications Officer Scotland press and Stroke Association research communications 0131 555 7244
Laura Thomas

Laura Thomas

Press contact Communications Officer Wales 07776508594
Ken Scott

Ken Scott

Press contact Press Officer North of England and Midlands 0115 778 8429
Daisy Dighton

Daisy Dighton

Press contact Press Officer London and East of England 02079401358
Martin Oxley

Martin Oxley

Press contact Press Officer South of England 0207 566 1548
Vicki Hall

Vicki Hall

Press contact PR Manager Fundraising and local services 0161 742 7478
Scott Weddell

Scott Weddell

Press contact PR Manager Stroke policy, research and Northern Ireland 02075661528
Katie Taylor

Katie Taylor

Press contact Head of PR & Media This team is not responsible for booking marketing materials or advertising
Out of hours contact

Out of hours contact

Press contact Media queries 07799 436008
Kate Asselman

Kate Asselman

Press contact Artist Liaison Lead 07540 518022
Tell us your story

Tell us your story

Press contact 07799 436008

The UK's leading stroke charity helping people to rebuild their lives after stroke

The Stroke Association. We believe in life after stroke. That’s why we campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best possible recovery. It’s why we fund research to develop new treatments and ways to prevent stroke. The Stroke Association is a charity. We rely on your support to change lives and prevent stroke. Together we can conquer stroke.

Stroke Association
City Road
EC1V 2PR London
UK