The Stroke Association welcomes well known faces and voices to its marathon team

Ex-Holby City star Chinna Wodu, popular medic Sean Thompson in the BBC1 drama, Brian Murphy from the new Virgin FM Breakfast show team and Olympic Gold Medallist Linford Christie are supporting The Stroke Association in London's premiere running event.

Chinna Wodu and Brian Murphy will be running the famous 26.2 mile course which takes place on the 23rd of April, on behalf of The Stroke Association, an Official Charity for the 2006 Flora London Marathon.

Linford Christie will be supporting Chinna, Brian and all the Stroke Runners, by offering training advice and tips to motivate even the weariest legs. The Stroke Runners, who aim to be one of the biggest teams on the day, will also have access to a dedicated marathon website www.strokerunners.org.uk - designed to get everyone through 'the wall' and across the finish line.

Stroke is the third biggest killer and the leading cause of severe disability in England and Wales. Sadly, Chinna, Brian and Linford have experienced first hand the devastating effect that stroke can have on a person's life as well as those close to them.

Brian Murphy told us: "I've always wanted to have a go at a marathon and my father had a stroke ten years ago so running for The Stroke Association just made sense. Thankfully Dad is fit and well now and I can do something for a cause that is very close to my heart."

Chinna Wodu said: "My father suffered a minor stroke last year, at the time I felt helpless because I had no idea of what to do. But, 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."

Linford Christie understands the impact a stroke can have on an entire family after a close relative died from the condition. He said: "I am delighted to be able to support The Stroke Association's team of runners in this years Flora London Marathon. Not only is it a worthy cause, but the organisation is offering runners much needed support and guidance on completing the 26 mile course I'm behind The Stroke Runners every step of the way."

Already in training and loving the challenge? Then join The Stroke Runners and make a real difference to the 500,000 people who are currently living with stroke in the UK.

Contact Ellie, Kate, or Bhavesh on our marathon hotline: 020 7566 1524 or email londonmarathon@stroke.org.uk

Notes to editor

1. Photos are available of Linford Christie with members of The Stroke Runners team

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