Newsletter 1: October 2015

World Stroke Day

How you choose to 'Give a Hand' is entirely up to you. It could be baking something delicious and decorating it with your other hand, trying a craft one handed, or even playing Pictionary using your other hand. There are loads of fun and easy suggestions in our ‘handful of ideas’ pack. To get the pack and find out more about how to give a hand, visit stroke.org.uk/giveahand

To mark World Stroke Day on 29 October the Stroke Association wants everyone to ‘Give a Hand’ and raise money by completing an every day activity with the hand you would not normally use. Three quarters of stroke survivors lose the use of one of their hands at some point. Often they have to re-learn to do the things they’ve always done - using their other hand.

Make May Purple

Together we can conquer stroke

for stroke

Plans for 2016In 2015 Make May Purple for stroke was such a success, so many people got involved we decided to make it an annual event. It might seem a long way off but now is the time to get preparing and show your support with ingenious ways to Make May Purple.

We’re pulling together Make May Purple magazine which will feature lots of great ideas, stories and information about how the money you raise is spent. It will be available in November. Make sure you get your free copy and tell your friends to sign up at stroke.org.uk/strokemonth

Plans for 2016 There are so many beautiful purple plants and by planning now you can celebrate Make May Purple a riot of colour right on your doorstep. Iris, Agapanthus, Lilac and Sweet Peas all flower in May so start planning that display now.

Last year offices, schools and groups all raised money by wearing purple for stroke. Pick a day, plan an outfit and get friends colleagues and family members to pay a pound and show their colours.

Everyone loves cake – a table groaning with beetroot and chocolate brownies, blueberry swirl cheesecakes and glistening plum cobblers is hard to resist. Check out our gorgeous recipes on our Make May Purple web page.

Plant May Purple

Wear May Purple

Bake May Purple

For recipes, gardening tips and ideas to wear it purple head to stroke.org.uk/strokemonth

Our Purple MegastarsWe want to celebrate some of our favourite fundraising events, ideas and activities – this month; Medway Stroke Club’s Purple Bowling.

Thirteen members of the Medway Stroke Club made May purple for stroke in their own inimitable style with a ten pin bowling competition. All the club members wore purple in some form and were a vision of vibrant colour. In fact, they were so eye-catching that the local press turned up.

Let’s spread the word We’ve created posters and postcards to let people know that Make May Purple is coming soon. We will send you two posters and two postcards with the Make May Purple magazine. If you are able to put them in your GP surgery or at your work, that would help us get more people to give stroke the attention it deserves.

If you need more copies of anything, you can order them through the order form with the magazine or visit stroke.org.uk/strokemonth

Scottish success Our Scottish supporters really gave it their all to ‘Make May Purple for Stroke’ in 2015.

There was purple face painting, landmarks and buildings were lit up in purple, Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh had a special purple flower display, for stroke and primary schools and community groups hosted purple themed afternoon teas. Even the SSE Hydro went purple.

Raising funds and awareness ensures that we can grow our support for people who have had strokes in Scotland. So for 2016 we’re keen to do a big fundraising push and we’d love you to get involved.

We’ll do everything we can to support you, guide you and help make your fundraising and awareness raising efforts a real success. Please contact angela.macleod@stroke.org.uk

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Thank you

Registered as a Charity in England and Wales (No 211015) and in Scotland (SC037789). Also registered in Northern Ireland (XT33805) Isle of Man (No 945) and Jersey (NPO 369).

Item Code: A07M29

Newsletter updatesIf you would like more copies of this newsletter to share with your group or in your community then get in touch. Call 020 7566 1500 or email strokemonth@stroke.org.uk If you would like to opt out of receiving further Make May Purple for stroke information then please email strokemonth@stroke.org.uk

We’d love to say a huge thank you to all for your support in 2015. We could not have Made May (so very) Purple without you. And that’s how we’ll conquer stroke – together.