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Staff from local stroke services joined forces on Saturday to take on a gruelling 240-mile cycling challenge, raising awareness of the life-changing impact of stroke.

The challenge, hosted at Abbey Stadium Sports Centre in Redditch, symbolised the 240 people in the UK who suffer a stroke every day.

From 7:30am to 7:30pm, NHS staff and members of the local Stroke Association took turns on static bikes, cheered on by colleagues, stroke survivors, friends, family, and members of the public – many joining in to help clock up the miles.

The event brought together teams from the local stroke pathway, comprising of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICB, and the Stroke Association’s local branch. Together, they cycled for change, raising vital funds for stroke research and support services.

The team supporting Raj, a stroke survivor to use the static bike.

The event also supported May Measure Month, a national campaign encouraging people to check their blood pressure, the leading modifiable risk factor for stroke. Healthcare professionals were on hand throughout the day to offer free blood pressure and heart rate checks, helping people take proactive steps toward stroke prevention.

Among those who took part was Raj (pictured), a local stroke survivor who proudly contributed to the mileage on one of the static bikes.

Sarah Hudson, Integrated Services Lead for Stroke at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, said: 

Raj is just one of the hundreds of people we support across Worcestershire. Like many others, Raj has received joined-up care from NHS stroke teams in the county, and the Stroke Association — from emergency treatment through to rehabilitation and longer-term support.

The Stroke Association is a vital partner, providing both specialist care and funding for life-saving research. This event was our way of giving something back, and a reminder that together, we can make a difference.

Sarah Adderley, Associate Director for the Midlands, at the Stroke Association, said: 

It’s incredible to see so many of our partners, friends and patients across Herefordshire and Worcestershire take on this challenge and we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part.

Over 88,000 people survive a stroke every year in the UK, but surviving a stroke is just the start of a long and gruelling recovery journey. Mums, dads, grandparents, young people, even children – anyone can have a stroke, and its impact is traumatic. 

As a charity we are here to provide strength through support but we can only do this with the help of people like you. From everyone here at the Stroke Association, thank you again for helping us spread awareness through your challenge “

In addition to the cycling challenge, visitors enjoyed a healthy bake sale featuring low-cholesterol cakes, aimed at promoting lifestyle changes and raising awareness of stroke prevention.

By lunchtime, the team had passed the halfway mark, and with strong community spirit and determination, they cycled all the way to the finish line.

If you would like to donate to the fundraiser, visit the JustGiving page.