LA Fitness launch 'Stroke 4 Stroke'

The Stroke Association and its sister charity Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland have teamed up with top health and fitness operator LA Fitness, to highlight how regular exercise and a healthy diet can help prevent strokes. The new partnership will involve local fundraising and awareness raising activities during March and April in LA Fitness gyms throughout England and Scotland.

The partnership launch aims to encourage existing gym members to make a donation and take part in an ongoing 'Stroke Challenge', which incorporates swimming and rowing contests. Members will be set the task to 'Stroke 4 Stroke' and over the next few weeks clock up strokes in the pool or on the rowing machine until the final distance is achieved. It is hoped this challenge will not only raise money but also help to improve personal fitness levels.

LA Fitness also intends to hold a 'Stroke Weekend' in clubs nationwide on 19th - 20th March. This will be an opportunity for members of the public to go along to their local LA Fitness gym and realise the benefits of exercise themselves. People interested can claim their free voucher from www.lafitness.co.uk (enter the password 'STROKEASSOCIATION'), but a small donation of £2 will be requested on the day with all money raised going to The Stroke Association and Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland.

Derek Wyeth, Director of Fundraising for The Stroke Association said:

"We are thrilled to be working with LA Fitness on this exciting campaign. Even if we exercised for just for 30 minutes most days, it would significantly help reduce the risk of suffering a stroke, the third biggest killer in the UK. This partnership initiative is the perfect combination of local fundraising and awareness raising within the community whilst simultaneously encouraging more people to exercise."

Norman Barret, Director of Fundraising for CHS Scotland said, "Thanks to this LA Fitness campaign, we have been able to take another positive step towards raising awareness of the benefits of exercise and healthy eating in reducing strokes."


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. There are two Stroke Information telephone helplines - The Stroke Association (England and Wales); 0845 30 33 100 and Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland; 0845 077 6000

2. Each year over 145,000 people in Britain have a stroke. Of all people who have a stroke, about one in six are likely to die within the first 30 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.

3. The Stroke Association is the only national charity solely concerned with combating 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.

4. Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland offers a range of community services throughout Scotland, including support for people with chest, heart and stroke illness, their families and carers. We fund medical research and welfare grants, provide advice and information through our publications and our nurse-led Advice Line. Our Volunteer Stroke Service provides weekly support groups, a hospital visiting service and outreach services.

5. 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.

6. Award winning LA Fitness is the market leader when it comes to offering a wide range of fitness options in a convenient location. Positioned at the value for money segment of the health club market, its business philosophy is to provide the facilities and the motivation for people of all ages, shapes and sizes to get as fit as they realistically can in a vibrant and friendly environment. With 65 clubs in the UK, one in Spain and one in Eire more than 196,900 people choose to be members of an LA Fitness club, meaning the Group continues to be one of Britain's fastest growing and most successful health club operators. LA Fitness is European Health Club Operator of the Year, as awarded by IHRSA.

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