Pedal Power to Beat Stroke in Tenth Anniversary Special

Pedal pushers from around the country will be taking to the streets of London as part of The Stroke Association's Thames Bridges Bike Ride on Sunday 22nd May. Thousands of riders will be getting on their bikes to raise funds to support all those affected by stroke. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the event.

The Thames Bridges Bike Ride takes in 14 of London's bridges during its 32-mile route through the heart of the capital. Starting at Tower Bridge, participants will follow the River Thames to Hurst Park, Hampton Court, cycling over landmark bridges including Blackfriars, Battersea and Kew.

Andrew Allum, who wanted to raise funds to support The Stroke Association following his father's stroke, originally created the Thames Bridges Bike Ride. The event is now run by The Stroke Association, and has steadily grown in size from having seven riders in its first year to over two thousand this year.

Derek Wyeth, Director of Fundraising at The Stroke Association says: "Over the past ten years The Stroke Association's Thames Bridges Bike Ride has grown from strength to strength, raising a staggering three quarters of a million pounds to help support all stroke survivors, their families and carers.

I would like to thank all this year's participants for their vital support of The Stroke Association, and wish them the best of luck for their final preparations for the ride on Sunday. Their participation will make an invaluable difference to all those affected by stroke."

For further information please contact the Media Team at The Stroke Association on 020 7566 0328/1500 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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