Butterflies in-store at Dixons

SHOPPERS at Dixons Group stores in England and Wales will soon be able to help fund research into stroke, the number one cause of severe disability in this country. The Stroke Association's distinctive butterfly badges, for which there is a recommended minimum donation of £1.00, will be available at branches from September 16th. Together with the Breast Cancer Campaign, The MS Society and The Prostate Cancer Charity, The Stroke Association is one of the four beneficiaries of the Dixons Group "Health Matters" campaign. Each of the charities will benefit from the badge donations.

The butterfly symbol for the badge was inspired by the book, The Diving Bell & the Butterfly, by former Vogue magazine editor Jean-Pierre Bauby. Bauby was left completely paralysed by a stroke and could only dictate his book by blinking an eye.

Derek Wyeth, Director of Fundraising, at The Stroke Association says: "The Stroke Association has had a fantastic level of support from the Dixons Group over the past year. The in-store availability of the stroke badges will enable shoppers at the stores to do their bit for stroke and help with their research, prevention and information services."

Stroke is one of this country's biggest killers and the number one cause of severe adult disability in England and Wales. Over 300,000 people are currently living with the effects of stroke in this country.

The stroke badges will available in; The Link, Dixons, Curry's and PC World stores for three months only.

Ends

For additional press information please contact 020 7566 0328 Fax: 020 7490 3073

For further information on the Dixons "Health Matters" campaign contact:
Clare Brine, Community Relations Manager Telephone: 01442 354 474 Fax: 01442 354 517 Email: clare.brine@dixons.co.uk

Notes to editor

· The Stroke Association is the only national charity in England and Wales solely concerned with combating stroke. The Northern Ireland Chest, Heart & Stroke Association (NICHSA) and the Chest, Heart Stroke Scotland (CHSS) charities will benefit from the sale of their own stroke badges in Dixons Group stores throughout their respective countries.
· The Stroke Association is one of the four benefiting charities of the Dixons Group Plc annual charity appeal for 2001-2002.
· 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.
· Stroke is one of the biggest killers and the largest single cause of serious adult disability in the UK. Around 100,000 people in England and Wales suffer a stroke each year - about 10,000 are under the age of 55 and 1,000 are under the age of 30.

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