Limited places available to become a triathlete for The Stroke Association

The Stroke Association has only a few guaranteed places left for this year's London Triathlon on the 5th and 6th August, so hurry up and secure your place before it's too late.

The London triathlon is the largest in the world with over 10,000 participants expected to take part this year. It is held in the famous Royal Victoria Dock and is open to everybody. Basically if you can swim, run and cycle then you are a triathlete! You can take part at a level that suits you and even enter as a team of 3 if you don't wish to go the distance alone!

Ellie Crilly, National Events Officer at The Stroke Association comments: "Every five minutes someone in the UK has a stroke and this is an exciting opportunity for everyone to get involved and to help raise money for The Stroke Association."

So if you fancy the challenge, then contact The Stroke Association's national events Hotline on 020 7566 0311 or email nationalevents@stroke.org.uk

ENDS
For further information please contact the Media Team at The Stroke Association on 020 7566 1500 or email press@stroke.org.uk

Notes to editor

1. Each year an estimated 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke. Of all people who suffer from a stroke, about a third are likely to die within the first 10 days, about a third are likely to make a recovery within one month and about a third are likely to be left disabled and needing rehabilitation. Stroke has a greater disability impact than any other medical condition. A quarter of a million people are living with long-term disability as a result of stroke in the UK.

2. The Stroke Association is the only national charity solely concerned with combatting stroke in people of all ages. It funds research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services. These include dysphasia support, family support, information services, welfare grants, publications and leaflets. We also campaign, educate and inform to increase knowledge of stroke at all levels of society and we act as a voice for everyone affected by stroke.

3. A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. Most strokes occur when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain. Some strokes are caused by bleeding in or around the brain from a burst blood vessel. When the blood supply is disrupted, parts of the brain become damaged or destroyed. Some strokes are fatal whist others can cause permanent or temporary paralysis to one side of the body and loss of the ability to speak, read or write. Recovery may be slow and can vary from person to person.

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