Tackling the Atlantic to help those affected by stroke.

On Thursday May 1 2003, Judi Jackson from Wressle, North Yorkshire, will be setting off on a 4,000 mile voyage across the Atlantic to raise money for The Stroke Association. Judi has sailed for a number of years in local waters but has never attempted such a major challenge. She will be one member of a three-man crew in a 38 foot yacht going from Florida to Lisbon, Portugal. The team hopes to complete the journey in a month.

Judi, whose 47 year old husband and mother-in-law both died from strokes, was impressed by the support given to her father-in-law when he also suffered a massive stroke in 1990. As a result of the Association, her father-in-law recovered his speech and mobility.

Judi Jackson says: "I am hoping to raise funds for The Stroke Association to help with research into stroke prevention and treatment. I hope my efforts will raise awareness so that, in the future, other families may not have to go through the sudden devastating loss our family has suffered."

Judi, who works as an administrator in a research centre at the University of York, will be keeping in touch with family while onboard, through a satellite phone system.

Notes to editor

· A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted.
· Stroke is one of the biggest killers and the single largest cause of severe adult 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.
· The Stroke Association is the only national charity solely concerned with stroke across all age groups. It funds research into prevention, treatment, better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services. These include visiting services, dysphasia support, family support, an information service, welfare grants, publications and leaflets.

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