Young stroke survivor Connor Lynes joins the Stroke Association to Make May Purple in Hull

Hull stroke survivor Connor Lynes has joined the Stroke Association to host the charity’s Conquer Stroke Duathlon in East Park, Holderness Road, Hull on Saturday 20 May.

The event has been organised to celebrate Make May Purple for Stroke, the Stroke Association’s national awareness month. During the month of May, the charity is calling on everyone in Hull to go purple and raise vital funds, to show their support for people who have been affected by stroke.

The Conquer Stroke Duathlon will take place from 11am – 2pm, and Hull residents are encouraged to come along and join local stroke survivors for a short bike ride and walk through the park. Stroke Association staff and volunteers will also be on hand to give free blood pressure checks from the bandstand outside the Pavillion Café throughout the afternoon.

From 11.30am-12.30pm, stroke survivors will take on a 2.5 mile bike ride around the park using the adapted bike scheme. Joining the participants is Connor, who was just 14 years old when he had two strokes after playing a rugby match. Connor will walk the route twice with an additional shorter loop, and will complete a six mile walk. The Stroke Association is also calling on members of the public to join the route on their own bikes or walk the route alongside Connor.

From 1:30pm-2pm, stroke survivors will complete the second part of their challenge, when they’ll set off from the Pavillion café and take on either a 200metre or 500 metre walk. The Pavilion Café will be decorated in purple throughout the week, and staff will be collecting funds for the Stroke Association for the year

Ben Crawforth, Stroke Prevention Coordinator at the Stroke Association in Hull, said: “We’re inviting everyone to come along to East Park and join stroke survivors as they take on this challenge and help us to put the spotlight on stroke.

“This year we’re also calling on the local community to get involved in Make May Purple. Whether you choose to hold a bake sale, take part in an event or get sponsored to dye your hair, there are so many easy ways to show your support.

“Across the UK, more than a million people are rebuilding their lives after stroke. By supporting Make May Purple you can help us to make sure stroke gets the attention it deserves and to raise vital funds for innovative research into stroke care and treatment.”

To get involved with Make May Purple and help to change the story for stroke survivors, visit www.stroke.org.uk/makemaypurple