​Local pupils raise £3,500 with 100km cycling challenge

Pupils aged 13 and 14 from Arden Academy in Knowle, Solihull have raised £3,500 for the Stroke Association by completing a gruelling 100km bike ride.

On Saturday 7 July, 14 year nine pupils and their teachers cycled from the School in Knowle and completed a 100km loop crossing Warwickshire and Earlswood Lakes.

Gurvinder Singh, mathematics teacher at the Arden Academy said: “The ride went really well. We left at 7am to try and miss the worst of the heat but when we were cycling fortunately we had the breeze to cool us down. All of the pupils completed the ride and they were really cheerful throughout. They did really well.

“The year 9 students at Arden were given the opportunity to train up for and ride 100km to raise money for a chosen charity. They chose to raise funds for The Stroke Association because of the amazing work they do to help stroke survivors rebuild their lives after having a stroke. Seven of the fourteen pupils have relatives who have had a stroke, so for them it was something very close to home.”

The pupils were inspired to fundraise for the Stroke Association after they were visited by the charity to teach them how to recognise the symptoms of a stroke and the importance of acting FAST. The FAST Test identifies the three most common symptoms of a stroke and the right action to take.

Katrin Winstanley from the Stroke Association, who taught the pupils about stroke awareness said: “We’re extremely grateful to the staff and students at Arden Academy for raising vital funds to help the Stroke Association support more stroke survivors re-gain their independence. There are more than 100,000 strokes in the UK each year. That is around one stroke every five minutes. Stroke is a medical emergency so, it’s hugely important that as many people including young people, know about stroke prevention and what action they can take to help someone who has had a stroke.”

The F.A.S.T. stroke campaign, urges the public to call 999 if they notice even one of the signs of a stroke in themselves, or in others:

Face – has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?

Arms – can they raise both their arms and keep them there?

Speech – is their speech slurred?

Time – time to call 999.

For more information about stroke, visit stroke.org.uk or call the Helpline on 0303 3033 100.