Taking action on stroke in Lisburn

The charity is reaching out to more stroke survivors and is calling for better support for people affected by stroke. 2012 also marks the Stroke Association’s 20th birthday and its Communications Development Groups have been celebrating in style around the country with their local Mayors.

Other activities include selling specially made purple cupcakes which will be available to buy from the Stroke Association stand in Bow Street Mall on Thursday May 24. The charity is also holding its first balloon release in support of stroke at the end of the month and anyone can dedicate or simply buy a balloon for £5 online at www.justgiving.com/Stroke-AssociationNI.

There are over 4,000 people across Northern Ireland who have a stroke each year and over 31,947 people living with the effects of stroke.

Tom Richardson, Northern Ireland Director at the Stroke Association said: “More people than ever are surviving a stroke and that’s a welcome improvement. But many stroke survivors tell us that after all the effort to save their lives they then feel abandoned when the intense support they receive comes to an end. Stroke survivors and their families must be properly supported immediately after leaving hospital and in the long term, so they can make better recoveries and get on with their lives.”