Cycling for stroke

On Friday May 30, Sandra Milne from Nottinghamshire will be setting off on a 1,000 mile bike ride from Nottinghamshire to Austria to raise money for The Stroke Association. Sandra who has enjoyed cycling holidays for many years but has never attempted such a major challenge before, hopes to complete the journey in six-to-eight weeks.

Sandra decided to support The Stroke Association after seeing the devastation stroke caused to the lives of friends and family. The money raised will be divided between The Stroke Association, Leukaemia Research Fund and Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

"Most people know somebody who has been affected by stroke in some way. I am raising funds for The Stroke Association to help with stroke prevention and treatment. I hope my efforts will raise awareness of the lack of stroke care services in the UK. With over 130,000 people having a first stroke in the UK every year, it is time more services were dedicated to stroke patients," says Sandra.

"We are extremely grateful for the support and effort from Sandra. The money raised will benefit stroke patients throughout England and Wales," says Angela Pavey, National Events Manager of The Stroke Association. For more information on sponsoring Sandra, please visit www.ccbeurope.co.uk

For more information on stroke and The Stroke Association, please call 0845 3033100

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For additional press information telephone The Media Office on 020 7566 0317.

Notes to editor

· A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted.

· Stroke is one of the biggest killers and the single largest cause of severe adult disability in the UK.

· Around 130,000 people in the UK suffer a first stroke each year - about 13,000 are under the age of 55 and 1,000 are under the age of 30. One person every five minutes will suffer a first stroke.

· The Stroke Association is the largest national charity solely concerned with stroke across all age groups. It funds research into prevention, treatment, better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services. These include visiting services, dysphasia support, family support, an information service, welfare grants, publications and leaflets.

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