Press release -
Rochdale stroke survivor walks his way to football success
A stroke survivor from Rochdale has joined forces with other survivors in the area to form a walking football team, and celebrated reaching the semi-finals of their first football tournament.
Roger Varnom, 71, had his first stroke 20 years ago which affected the movement in the right hand side of his body. He had a second stroke in January 2013, which further affected his right side and left him unable to use his right arm.
As part of his recovery, Roger started going to Rochdale Leisure Centre and was supported by the Stroke Association in Rochdale. He now attends Stroke Active, weekly exercise classes run by the charity in partnership with Link4Life. Each Thursday, Roger plays walking football for the first half of the sessions, before taking part in another form of exercise, such as badminton.
Roger and other members of the group decided to enter the LeTissier Cup, held in Glossop on Thursday 15 May. The team reached the semi-finals of the walking football tournament, which sees football played at a slower pace, and were the only group with a disability in the competition.
Roger said: “As the only team of stroke survivors competing against fit teams, we were shocked but thrilled to reach the semi-finals. We’ve already been invited to take part in another tournament in Blackpool in August so we’ll be practicing in our weekly sessions until then.
“I’ve noticed a great improvement in my recovery since I started attending the Stroke Active classes back in February this year. I’m no longer kept awake at night by cramps, my pins and needles are subsiding and I’ve found the exercise really helps to lift my mood.”
Emma Willis, Life After Stroke Coordinator for the Stroke Association in Rochdale, said: “Roger and the walking football team are proof that there is a life after stroke and how much exercise can improve your well-being. Regular exercise can reduce your risk of stroke by a quarter. There are lots of ways you can be more active even if you find it difficult to move around, such as walking football or chair based exercises.”
According to the Stroke Association there are around 14,600 strokes each year in the North West and over 157,370 people living with the effects of stroke.
The Stroke Association provides a Life After Stroke Service in Rochdale, which is funded by Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group.
For more information about stroke, ring the Helpline on 0303 30 33 100 or visit www.stroke.org.uk.
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Interview and photo opportunities are available, please contact Vicki Wray on 0161 742 7478 or email vicki.wray@stroke.org.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 the leading cause of severe adult 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 we’re leading a community of people to change the world for people affected by 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 ww.stroke.org.uk
