A group of Newcastle women have raised over $10,000 for the Stroke Foundation during its November Stride4Stroke campaign.
The campaign aims to encourage communities to form Stride4Stroke teams and get active, helping to raise vital funds and awareness for strokes and the Stroke Foundation.
Newcastle team Mandi & Co-On The Run raised $10284 during November by simply getting active and reaching their ‘moving minutes’ goal.
Team members Tracey Laverick, Amanda Newstead, Naomi Clayton, Leonie Lewis, and Penny Genoli all individually smashed their targets.
Tracey Laverick raised over $6000 alone and reached her goal of 800 moving minutes by participating in Zumba classes, playing tennis and walking.
Laverick, whose husband Mark experienced a stroke ten years ago, said it felt good to do something not only for her own health but to raise money for a charity that was close to her heart.
“Stroke happens when you least expect it, and it can change lives profoundly,” Laverick said.
“Stroke hits the whole family. So it’s not just the person that suffers the stroke, it’s the family and friends too.
“As a carer, I wanted to help raise awareness of the wide impact of stroke and support the amazing work of the Stroke Foundation.
“They help survivors and their loved ones on the recovery journey and invest in prevention campaigns and research that aims to improve outcomes in the future. It is vital work.
“It’s estimated around 200 people will have had a stroke for the first time in the Newcastle federal electorate in 2021, while more than 3200 stroke survivors are living in the community.”
According to the Stroke Foundation, more than 20,000 people in the Newcastle area are not moving enough, and one way to prevent a stroke is staying active.
It’s estimated more than 27,400 people will have a stroke in Australia for the first time in 2021, equating to one stroke every nineteen minutes.
Stroke Foundation
Stroke Foundation NSW manager Rhian Paton-Kelly thanked the team for their passion and dedication.
“They really went for it!” Paton-Kelly said.
“We are so grateful for their efforts and for everyone who generously supported them with encouragement and donations.
“I urge other people in Newcastle to follow their lead and sign up to Stride4Stroke next November.
“Every dollar raised helps in our mission to prevent stroke, save lives and enhance recovery.”
Stride4Stroke had 1393 participants from all over Australia this year, totalling more than 1 million moving minutes and raising more than $455,000.
Hayley McMahon