Hayes stroke survivor kicks off Make May Purple for the Stroke Association

Press release -

Hayes stroke survivor kicks off Make May Purple for the Stroke Association

A stroke survivor from Hayes has joined forces with other survivors in the area to form a walking football team to kick off the Stroke Association’s national awareness month: Make May Purple.

Ian Pearce, 71, had a stroke in October 2011 which affected the movement in the right hand side of his body, and left him with a communication difficulty called aphasia.

As part of his recovery, Ian joined the Stroke Association’s communication support group in Hillingdon. Apart from its focus on communication support, this group also takes part in different activities in the borough, and walking football was one of the events the group tried out last year.

The group enjoyed the experience so much the Stroke Association set up a weekly walking football group just for stroke survivors with the support of Middlesex FA and the Better Health & Leisure Centre in Hayes.

Ian said: “I’ve noticed improvement in my recovery and wellbeing since I started attending the walking football classes this year. I’ve found the exercise really helps to lift my mood and it’s nice to get back into something I enjoyed in my younger years. I was never really good at football when I was younger, but I seem to be doing a good job with walking football!”

Jacqui Guyett, Communication Support Coordinator for the Stroke Association in Hillingdon, said: “Ian and the walking football team are proof that there is a life after stroke and that exercise really can do wonders for your wellbeing. Regular exercise can reduce your risk of stroke by a quarter, and activities like walking football are great for people who find it harder to move around. Ian has become a committed member of the group and he attends every week wearing the shirt of his beloved football team, Nottingham Forest!”

Make May Purple for Stroke is back and the Stroke Association is calling on people across Hillingdon to join thousands of other supporters and go purple to show their support for people who have been affected by stroke.

Across the UK, more than a million people are rebuilding their lives after stroke. By supporting Make May Purple you are can help us to make sure stroke gets the attention it deserves and to raise vital funds for innovative research into stroke care and treatment. To find out more about this year’s Make May Purple and how you can get involved, please visit www.stroke.org.uk/makemaypurple

The walking football team meet every Tuesday from 12:30 – 1:30pm at Botwell Green Sports and Leisure Centre and it is £2 per session. For more information about joining the team, please contact Jacqui Guyett on 07515 596 959 or email Jacqui.Guyett@stroke.org.uk

Topics

  • 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 more than 100,000 strokes in the UK each year; that is around one stroke every five minutes. 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

    • Contacts

    Angela Macleod

    Angela Macleod

    Press contact Press Officer National press and Stroke Association research and policy communications 07904 289900
    Laura Thomas

    Laura Thomas

    Press contact Communications Officer Wales 07776508594
    Ken Scott

    Ken Scott

    Press contact Press Officer North of England and Midlands 0115 778 8429
    Daisy Dighton

    Daisy Dighton

    Press contact Press Officer London and East of England 02079401358
    Martin Oxley

    Martin Oxley

    Press contact Press Officer South of England 07776 508 646
    Vicki Hall

    Vicki Hall

    Press contact PR Manager Fundraising and local services 0161 742 7478
    Katie Padfield

    Katie Padfield

    Press contact Head of PR & Media This team is not responsible for booking marketing materials or advertising
    Out of hours contact

    Out of hours contact

    Press contact Media queries 07812388125
    Kate Asselman

    Kate Asselman

    Press contact Artist Liaison Lead 07540 518022
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    Tell us your story

    Press contact 07799 436008

    The UK's leading stroke charity helping people to rebuild their lives after stroke

    The Stroke Association. We believe in life after stroke. That’s why we campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best possible recovery. It’s why we fund research to develop new treatments and ways to prevent stroke. The Stroke Association is a charity. We rely on your support to change lives and prevent stroke. Together we can conquer stroke.

    Stroke Association

    240 City Road
    EC1V 2PR London
    UK