Stay fit and Stride4Stroke

With warmer weather on the way, Australians are being encouraged to get out and stay active next month for a great cause – Stroke Foundation’s Stride4Stroke.

The fundraiser not only raises much-needed funds for stroke treatment and survivors of stroke and their families, but also reduces the stroke risk of participants through physical activity.

Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sharon McGowan said participants can get involved through any physical activity, including walking, running, cycling or swimming.

“That’s the beauty of Stride4Stroke. Participants can complete the challenge anywhere, at any time. The aim is to increase your ‘moving minutes’ and raise a sweat, which in turn lowers your stroke risk,” Ms McGowan said.

“Stroke is largely a preventable disease. We know more than 3.1 million Australians are not getting enough physical activity on any given week. A simple way we can change that is by keeping healthy and active.”

Stroke is one of Australia’s biggest killers and causes of disability, and can happen to anyone at any time.

All money raised from Stride4Stoke will help Stroke Foundation prevent stroke, fund research and support survivors and their families at all stages of their recovery journey.

Brooke Parsons is among those ready to Stride4Stroke this November, and shared her inspiring story of stroke survival, after having a stroke at age 13.

“I was a fit and healthy pain in the butt kid. The force of the stroke caused me to collapse and fall through a glass door,” Ms Parsons said.

“The doctors told my parents my life would be quite limited. I had to learn how to walk, talk, and dress myself again. I’ve since proved them wrong and became a social worker, a teacher’s aide and worked for the Royal Children’s Hospital. I want to use this opportunity to raise awareness of the risks of stroke and change the state of stroke in Australia.”

Stride4Stroke kicks off on Tuesday, November 1. To register, visit www.stride4stroke.org.au.