The Stroke Association wins Healthcare and Medical Research Category at this year's Charity Awards

The Stroke Association won the prestigious Healthcare and Medical Research award at the UK Charity Awards 2006 at a star studded event in Battersea Park on Thursday 15 June 2006

The Charity Awards recognise and celebrate excellence in the leadership and management of charities. The awards are decided by an independent panel of Judges and this year awarded The Stroke Association for its Stroke is a Medical Emergency campaign.

The Stroke Association was one of 250 charity nominations for this year's awards. In the Healthcare and Medical research category, The Stroke Association fought off stiff competition from the other charities in the final shortlist of 3, ASH for their successful campaign for a national smoking ban; and Cerebra for their change project.

The Ambulance Service Association (ASA) supported the nomination of the award. The ASA National Clinical Effectiveness Manager, Mark Cooke comments: "The ASA is delighted to support the Stroke Association with their Stroke is a Medical Emergency - FAST campaign. The campaign has been hugely successful, and times perfectly with the ASA focus on the emergency management of stroke and TIA, guidelines development work undertaken by the Royal College of Physicians, the Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee, and the Stroke Strategy document being developed by the Department of Health."

TV presenter Judith Chalmers presented the award to Jon Barrick, Chief Executive and Joe Korner, Communications Director. Jon Barrick comments 'I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of The Stroke Association. Stroke is at last being seen as a medical emergency and this is down to hard work and dedication of all The Stroke Association's staff and associates.

Ends

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

Notes to editor

1. Each year over 130,000 people in England and Wales 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 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.

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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