The Stroke Association and Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland win Charity Challenge Partnership

Staff at BAE Systems have voted The Stroke Association and Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland as their Charity of the Year for the period 2005-2006 as part of the company's Charity Challenge partnership. The Association joins the American Cancer Society in North America and the National Heart Foundation in Australia as BAE Systems' Charity Challenge partners.

The Charity Challenge partnership was established in 1990 and operates at more than 100 BAE Systems sites across five countries. Three charities in the UK, The Stroke Association partnered by Chest, and Heart & Stroke Scotland, Disability United and the Wildlife Trust were short listed for the UK Charity Challenge partnership this year after a total of 47 applications were received, the final decision being made by a staff vote. The partnership is expected to raise around £1 million for both organisations.

Each year, over 145,000 people have a stroke in the UK and 250,000 people are living with long-term disability as a result of the condition. The partnership will result in a diverse range of fundraising and volunteering initiatives being undertaken by BAE Systems' employees throughout the country. BAE Systems have up to 45,000 employees in the UK alone. The partnership will thus make a considerable difference to the advice, information and support services that The Stroke Association and Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland will be able to provide. It will also help strengthen the voice of all those affected by stroke and reach new audiences to highlight stroke prevention, research and rehabilitation.

Jon Barrick, Chief Executive of The Stroke Association commented: "The Stroke Association is delighted all at BAE Systems will be supporting The Stroke Association and Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland through their 2005 Charity Challenge partnership, and look forward to working with them in the forthcoming year.

This partnership has been driven by BAE Systems' employees, whose majority voted to support all stroke survivors, their families and carers, having been given a number of other worthy causes to support this year through the partnership.

Through their volunteering and fundraising efforts, BAE Systems and up to 45,000 of their employees in the UK will be substantially supporting all those affected by stroke, making an invaluable difference to the advice, information and support they currently receive."

David Clark, Chief Executive, Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland commented, "BAE is a major employer in Scotland and we look forward to working with the company and their employees over the coming year. Their support will enable us to expand the services we provide throughout Scotland for people affected by stroke, particularly those left with speech and language problems."

For further information please contact the Media Team at The Stroke Association on 020 7566 0328/1515 or e-mail press@stroke.org.uk

Notes to editor

1. Each year over 145,000 people in Britain have a stroke. Of all people who suffer from a stroke, about one in six are likely to die within the first 30 days, 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. Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland offers a range of community services throughout Scotland, including support for people with chest, heart and stroke illness, their families and carers. We fund medical research and welfare grants, provide advice and information through our publications and our nurse-led Advice Line. Our Volunteer Stroke Service provides weekly support groups, a hospital visiting service and outreach services.

4. 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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