Life After Stroke Award Winners

WINNERS of The Stroke Association's 'Life After Stroke Awards' are to collect their prestigious awards at a ceremony on Wednesday 16 July in London.

There were seven categories in all:Junior Courage Award, Courage Award (18-54yrs), Courage Award (55yrs+), the Richard Thomas Community Award, The Susie Hulks Memorial Award for Art, Carer's Award and The Stroke Association Volunteer Award.

The awards, sponsored by Pfizer Ltd, recognise the extraordinary courage that has been shown by people of all ages who have had a stroke, and also those who care for them. Nominations were received for stroke patients, carers and volunteers from around England and Wales.

"The Life After Stroke Awards recognise the courage and determination of those who have had their lives turned upside down by the effects of stroke. They are all winners in our eyes and I'd like to thank everyone who nominated" says Jerry Doyle of The Stroke Association. "The results can be devastating, not only for the person who has had the stroke but also for their family, friends and colleagues. These award winners are truly inspirational and prove that there really is life after stroke."

The winners are:-
· Junior Courage Award - Jacob Goodier, aged 10, Derbyshire
· 18-55 years Courage Award -Dawn Davis, aged 36, Merthyr Tydfil
· 55 years plus Courage Award - Ken Lord, aged 61, Ely
· Carers Award - Carolyn & Bob Barnes, Essex
· Richard Thomas Community Award - Ron Wilson, aged 73, Lytham
· Susie Hulks Memorial Award for Art - Rita Brown, aged 68 years, from Liverpool
· The Stroke Association Volunteer Award - Bill Didham, aged 80, Dorset

The winners are to be joined by a host of celebrities that are due to appear including Honor Blackman, Dickie Davies, Mark Foster, Shobna Gulati (star of TV's Coronation Street). The award ceremony, will be compèred by television personality Edward Peel (star of TV's, London's Burning).

Each year there are over 130,000 new cases of stroke in the UK. Stroke is one of the biggest causes of death and disability in this country and The Stroke Association provides support for people who have had strokes, their families and carers.

-ENDS-

For more information or to arrange an interview with one of the award winners or a spokesperson from The Stroke Association, please contact the Press Office on 020 7566 0317. More information on strokes is available on this web site. Please do not contact anyone mentioned in this media release directly. All correspondence should go through The Stroke Association media team.

Notes to editor

1. The Life After Stroke Awards event is being held on Wednesday, 16 July 2003 at The Fishmongers' Hall, London Bridge.

2. There seven different categories including: Junior Courage Award, Courage Award (18-54yrs), Courage Award (55yrs+), Carer's Award, Susie Hulk Memorial Award for Art, Richard Thomas Community Award, The Stroke Association Volunteer Award.

3. Please note we have 3min broadcast quality footage on each Life After Stroke winner, which is available for use.

4. 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 stroke 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.

5. Stroke is one of the biggest killers and the largest cause of 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.

6. The Stroke Association is the largest national charity solely concerned with combating stroke. 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 visiting services, dysphasia support, family support, information centres, welfare grants, publications and leaflets.

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