Press release -
Dromore Spin Cycling Club raises over £625 for stroke charity
Seven members of Dromore Spin cycling club took part in the 177km Gran Fondo on Sunday 5 June to raise money in support of the Stroke Association’s Young Women’s Stroke Support Group.
The team leader was Jordanne Boal and she was joined by her fiancé, Irish professional road racing cyclist Sean Downey. One of Jordanne’s friends had a stroke at 25 and she wanted to do something to help.
Jordanne says:
“I still can’t believe we accomplished the Gran Fondo. It kicked off at 7.40am at Titanic Quarter and there were bikes everywhere! Before I knew it I was in Dromara and the challenges began! The day went really fast for me, tackling one hill and mountain at a time and trying to recover in-between. When I completed the last challenge at Slieve Croob I knew I was on the home straight back to Belfast. The last 25km were tough, I was beginning to get tired and it was hillier than expected but I had my fiancé Sean by my side being my rock. Once I seen the 5km sign I got a new lease of energy and was over the finish line, absolutely buzzing. The five other Dromore Spin guys had went on ahead earlier in the day as I was very nervous but we all crossed the finish line feeling accomplished and got our well-deserved medals!
“It was amazing to have some of the girls and the leader Valerie from the Young Women ‘s Stroke Support Group there to greet us at the finish line. It really made the finish that little extra special. Now for some well-deserved rest before seeing what my next goal will be- watch this space!”
Paul Montgomery, Community and Events Fundraising Manager at Stroke Association said: “Congratulations and thank you to Jordanne and the team for supporting the Stroke Association’s Young Women after Stroke Group. Thanks to fundraisers like them we can support the 35,000 stroke survivors and their families in Northern Ireland. All money raised in Northern Ireland stays in Northern Ireland and we’re incredibly grateful to Jordanne and everyone for supporting us – the Gran Fondo is a tough challenge and they should be incredibly proud of themselves!”
The Stroke Association’s Young Women’s Stroke Support Group group provides information, advice and peer support to young stroke survivors and their families in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area. It is based in Brownlow Community Hub, Craigavon but supports stroke survivors from throughout Northern Ireland. For more information on this group contact Valerie Dale on Valerie.dale@stroke.org.uk or 079 4727 3013.
The Stroke Association is a charity that is changing the world for people affected by stroke. They work with thousands of stroke survivors and their families and carers, with health and social care professionals, with scientists and researchers, and with supporters to conquer stroke. For more information visit www.stroke.org.uk
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For interview requests or more information, please contact: Catherine Lynn at the Stroke Association on 028 9050 8054/079472736400 or email Brenda.Maguire@stroke.org.uk
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A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain. There are around 152,000 strokes in the UK every year and it is one of the largest causes of disability. There are over 1.2 million people in the UK living with the effects of stroke.
Stroke Association is a charity. We believe in life after stroke and together we can conquer stroke. We work directly with stroke survivors and their families and carers, with health and social care professionals and with scientists and researchers. We campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best recovery they can. We fund research to develop new treatments and ways of preventing stroke. The Stroke Helpline (0303 303 3100) provides information and support on stroke. More information can be found at www.stroke.org.uk
