Stars of Green Wing, Holby and Casualty support The Stroke Runners

Actors from the nation’s favourite medical dramas, usually at loggerheads in the battle for ratings, are uniting to support The Stroke Association as an Official Charity of this years’ Flora London Marathon and cheer on The Stroke Runners.

Mark Heap from hit Channel 4 comedy The Green Wing, ex-Holby City star Chinna Wodu and Martina Laird from Casualty are all urging people to join The Stroke Runners, who aim to be one of the biggest marathon teams running on the day.

Mark Heap, once again stars as eccentric Dr Alan Statham in the second series of Green Wing which starts later today. Sadly, Mark knows just how devastating the impact of stroke can be, having lost his parents to the condition. He said: “The money raised by The Stroke Association’s marathon team will go towards vital stroke services and much needed research into the UK’s third biggest killer. Both my mother and my father died of stroke. I am one hundred per cent behind anything that can stop this from happening to other people.”

Chinna Wodu is leading by example and limbering up to run the famous 26.2 mile course himself on the 23rd April. He feels strongly about raising awareness of a condition that affects someone every five minutes in the UK, after his father had a stroke last year at the age of 58.

Chinna said: “My father suffered a minor stroke last year, at the time I felt helpless because I had no idea of what to do. The Stroke Association provided support that made a world of difference. So I am running to help raise awareness of stroke and the work of The Stroke Association but, also because it’s a challenge for me to do something I would normally avoid. I never liked doing cross country as a school boy, so running the marathon is a major challenge that I’m excited about, I look forward to enjoying the day as hard as it may be.”

Casualty’s Martina Laird who plays paramedic Comfort Newton is a long - time supporter of the organisation. She is getting behind The Stroke Association’s marathon goal of raising £1 million to help the 250,000 people, their families and carers who are currently living with the effects of stroke in each year. “I know from researching my role in Casualty the long-term impact a stroke can have and that it is the leading cause of adult disability in the UK” she said. “That’s why I’m completely behind The Stroke Runners and the work of The Stroke Association - their efforts really will make a difference to stroke survivors overcoming their own personal challenges every day.”

Jon Barrick, Chief Executive of The Stroke Association commented: “I am delighted to have the support of such well-known faces from our best loved medical programmes. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish our Stroke Runners team the best of luck on the 23rd April. The road to recovery is a long one, but with their help in the marathon we are raising vital funds and awareness to help all survivors along every step of the stroke journey.”

There may be less than a month to go until the world’s most exciting road race but if you have your own place there’s still time to join The Stroke Runners team.
Contact Ellie, Kate, or Bhavesh on our marathon hotline: 020 7566 1524 or email londonmarathon@stroke.org.uk

For all other enquiries please contact the Media Team at The Stroke Association 020 7566 1500 or email press@stroke.org.uk  

ENDS

Notes to editor

1. Individual photos of Mark Heap, Chinna Wodu and Martina Laird are available on request

2. The Flora London Marathon takes place on Sunday 23 April 2006.

3. To contact Flora London Marathon directly call 020 7902 0200.

4. Each year over 130,000 people in the UK 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. The Stroke Association were awarded Medical Charity of the Year by the Medical Journalist’s Association in July 2005.

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