Squaddies Skip Smart for Stroke Awareness

The British Army will help The Stroke Association launch its annual Stroke Awareness Week at Horse Guards Parade in London today. Over one hundred squaddies from Army units in London and the home counties will join celebrities, the current British skipping champions and stroke survivors to promote the importance of physical activity for stroke prevention during their London Soldier recruiting campaign.

Only thirty seven per cent of men and twenty five per cent of women meet the current physical activity guidelines suggested by the Government which is thirty minutes of moderate activity on five or more days a week . Those who are physically inactive, which is estimated to be around a quarter of adults, are at three times the risk of stroke .

"Anyone can suffer a stroke and be left with its debilitating effects. Minor lifestyle changes including doing moderate physical activity such as half an hour of walking each day is all it takes to help reduce the risk of suffering a stroke. Physical activity can help lower high blood pressure which is a major risk factor for the condition", says Eoin Redahan, Director of Public Relations at The Stroke Association.

The Army will be helping the charity promote its Let's get physical message during Stroke Awareness Week at a number of regional information and fundraising days. Lt. Col. Barry Hawgood, Army Media Operations, says: "The British Army is delighted to help The Stroke Association's Let's get physical campaign. Physical activity is not only of paramount importance for our soldiers but it is essential for everyone to help reduce their risk of stroke."

To help individuals incorporate physical activity into everyday life The Stroke Association has designed an Eight-Week Challenge pack. Telephone 01604 623933 or email administration@stroke.org.uk to receive a pack.

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For further press information please contact 020 7566 0328 / 0317

Notes to editor

· Stroke Awareness Week is supported by an educational grant from Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited.
· Stroke is one of the biggest killers and the largest single cause of serious adult disability in the UK. Around 100,000 people in England and Wales suffer a stroke each year - about 10,000 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.
· A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted.
· The Stroke Association is the only national charity solely concerned with combating stroke.

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