Royal Mail employee takes to the skies for the Stroke Association

Royal Mail manager, Chris Wilkinson from Romiley, reached new heights on Saturday 08 November, when he took part in a zip slide across the AJ Bell Stadium to raise funds for the Stroke Association.

A father of two, Chris, 47, works at the Royal Mail’s Manchester Mail Centre. He volunteered to take part in the challenge after the Stroke Association was chosen as Royal Mail Group’s Charity of the Year.

To support the partnership, Chris soared all the way across the pitch at the stadium, home to the Salford Red Devils and Sale Sharks.

Chris is among the Royal Mail Group staff across the country who are kick-starting their Charity of the Year partnership by signing up to ‘Give for Grants’. The scheme is a month long fundraising drive which began on World Stroke Day, 29 October, to raise money for vital Life after Stroke grants. Fundraisers across the country will be taking part in activities from sky dives to bake sales in their mission to raise money for the Stroke Association.

Gary Grange, Community Investment Manager at Royal Mail, said: “It’s fantastic to see fundraisers like Chris supporting our Charity of the Year and doing everything they can to help us to raise vital funds in aid of Life after Stroke grants. In the next two years, we want to raise at least £2 million for the Stroke Association, so that we can change the lives of thousands of people affected by stroke.”

Chris added: “Having never done a zip line before, this was a whole new experience for me. The weather was terrible all morning, so I was glad when the cloud cleared enough in the afternoon to enable a dry run. My wife came along for moral support but I didn’t feel any nerves, I just couldn't wait to get down the line! So far, I've raised over £166 from the night shift at Manchester Mail Centre which will support the fantastic work the Stroke Association does, and help ensure they can be there for families who are affected by stroke.”

Annie Moran, Events Officer at the Stroke Association, added: “Stroke can be devastating, but with the support of people like Chris we can make a real difference to people affected by stroke. The event was a challenge our fundraisers will never forget, and the funds raised will go a long way in helping us to conquer stroke.”

The Stroke Association was chosen as Royal Mail Group’s Charity of the Year after receiving almost 40,000 staff votes. The company aims to raise at least £2 million for the Stroke Association over the course of the partnership. Every penny raised will help the charity provide Life After Stroke grants of up to £300 to help 10,000 stroke survivors. These grants fund equipment to give stroke survivors more independence and support as they take their first steps back into the community.

For more information about stroke, ring the Helpline on 0303 30 33 100 or visit www.stroke.org.uk.