Big strides promote stroke awareness

Hitting the pavement FOR stroke awareness: The kids are out in front as usual at the inaugural Stride for Stroke event. Organisers were thrilled with the community support. Picture by Debbie Gregory

More than 250 walkers, runners and mobility scooters turned out on Sunday to participate in the first Stride for Stroke event put on by Gisborne Stroke Support Group.

Stroke community adviser Caroline Callow was thrilled with the support by the community.

“This was our first event and it is always difficult to know how it will be received, but it was such a positive day and were able to give out heaps of information and raise awareness of stroke in the community.”

Mrs Callow said it was encouraging to see families and health sector workers involved.

“We had kids completing the run on their own or walking with some of our stroke group members, and hospital staff who work with stroke patients participating also.

“Bringing the community together to support people who have suffered from stroke is exactly what we hoped to achieve.

“This is all about getting the message out that stroke is preventable and also to reduce the stigma associated with this condition,” she said.

Great prizes included luxury accommodation, mountain bikes and a three-foot bar of chocolateA number of fortunate participants took home major prizes of a night of luxury at The Portside Hotel and two brand new mountain bikes.

Mangapapa School won a huge chocolate bar donated by Mangapapa Four Square for the most students attending.

Young band Rabbits in Tuxedos, who are all aged around 12, provided entertainment for the participants and the Lions Foundation had the ubiquitous sausage sizzle to keep hungry striders fed.

Sport Gisborne and Gisborne Harrier Club provided support throughout the planning, organising and running of the event, which Ms Callow said was invaluable.

“Having this level of support from these organisations has made the event a success.

“We couldn’t have done it without them or the tireless efforts of our committee member Maureen Hyland.”

Gisborne Stroke Support Group will look to run the event again in 2019.

For further details about Gisborne Stroke Support Group, contact can be made via their website at www.gisbornestrokesupport.org.nz