Time to join our marathon team of Stroke Runners

The Stroke Association, Official Charity of the Flora London Marathon 2006, is calling on runners across the country to join its biggest ever marathon team to help combat the UK’s third biggest killer.

Last week saw the long awaited result of the official ballot so if you’ve been successful - congratulations! Now is the time to join us and build a team of 850 Stroke Runners. You will be part of a team that prides itself on runner care and support, nutrition advice and training tips from experienced athletes as well as a dedicated website www.strokerunners.org.uk

Every five minutes someone in the UK has a stroke; it is a brain attack that can happen to anyone at anytime. There has never been a better year or a better reason to run for The Stroke Association.

Beverley Silke, Head of Events at The Stroke Association said: “We are thrilled to be the Official Charity for the 2006 Flora London Marathon and we aim to raise £1 million. We know the marathon is a huge challenge, but we will be here for you every step of the way. By overcoming the personal barriers of running a marathon you will be helping the 250,000 people who are currently living with a stroke in the UK overcome theirs so please run for The Stroke Association.”

How can you join us? Well, it really couldn’t be easier: just go to www.strokerunners.org.uk and click on the Register Now button.

This brand new marathon website has been specifically designed for all those who want to run for the Official Charity and be part of one of the largest teams on the day - we hope you love it. You can also email us or phone our marathon hotline below.

The website offers runners:
- An on-line forum encouraging runners to chat to each other about all things marathon. Exchanging views on how to overcome ‘runners nipple’ and whether a lycra/woolly jumper combo really is the best thing to train in, can do wonders for team spirit - after all, you know best!
- Articles: The Stroke Runners website contains comprehensive information on nutrition, training and injuries. Our goal is to supply you with all the details you will need to successfully complete the Flora London Marathon 2006. We’ll answer all those nagging questions about the event to get you through the winter months when you’d simply rather stay in bed.

There is also a link back to the homepage of The Stroke Association with information on how running for stroke will change lives including inspirational stories of life after stroke - it’s the reason you’re running for us after all.

If you decide to run for The Stroke Association we’ll be there to cheer you on and lift your spirits as you take part in one of the world’s biggest and most exciting road race. Join the Stroke Runners today - we’d love to have you on board.

For more information please call Ellie, Kate, or Bhavesh on our marathon hotline: 020 7566 1524 or email londonmarathon@stroke.org.uk

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

Notes to editor

1. Each year over 150,000 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.

2. The Stroke Association is the only national charity solely concerned with combatting 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 throughits 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.

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

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

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

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