NHS staff in Worcestershire to take on cycling challenge this month to highlight the impact of a stroke
Staff, alongside charity volunteers and stroke survivors will aim to cycle 240 miles over 12 hours on 31 May
NHS stroke staff from across Worcestershire are set to cycle 240 miles later this month to highlight the impacts a stroke can have.
The challenge on 31 May aims to represent the number of people who wake up to the traumatic impact of a stroke every day.
Starting at 7:30am, staff, alongside charity volunteers and stroke survivors will aim to cycle the distance over 12 hours on static bikes, with in the UK someone has a stroke every five minutes according to the Stroke Association.
Sarah Hudson is the integrated services lead for stroke at the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and lead for the initiative, she says it is important to highlight the impact a strokes can have.
"We're seeing a lot of younger people in Worcestershire having strokes and it can be devastating and have life changing consequences," she said.
"There's about 100,000 people every year that are left with a disability in the UK following a stroke and about a third of those people that have a stroke can actually die from it.
"Strokes are actually preventable though with simple healthy living habits, so not smoking, drinking in moderation, having a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and being active.
It will take place at the Abbey Stadium in Redditch.