Ulster Bank and Irish Heart have announced a new partnership to drive awareness about stroke as part of Ulster Bank’s ‘Do Good, Feel Good in June’ initiative. 

This is the first time a company has backed stroke awareness as their main fundraising cause and brings together Ulster Bank staff across Ireland as they get ready for the biggest fundraising event of the calendar year.
 
Ulster Bank staff around the country will take to the roads during June for a nationwide relay which will see hundreds of staff cycle, run and walk more than 2,000 kilometres over five days. Participants will pass the baton from branch to branch visiting over 100 locations along the way, before finishing in Athlone on 23rd June. 
 
The aim of the campaign is to support Irish Heart’s efforts to drive awareness of stroke. Stroke is Ireland’s third biggest killer but hundreds of lives could be saved if more people knew how to react. Stroke is not just something that happens to older people. Statistics from the National Stroke Audit published jointly by Irish Heart and the HSE’s National Stroke Programme, revealed a 26% increase in the proportion of strokes among under 65s – the equivalent of over 300 extra strokes among people of working age in Ireland every year. 
 
Head of Advocacy for Irish Heart, Chris Macey says, "About 10,000 strokes happen in Ireland every year, that’s more than one stroke every hour. It’s crucial that people understand the importance of getting to hospital quickly. We are delighted that Ulster Bank has come on board as our partner for this campaign. Their staff all around the country are already very enthusiastic about the campaign, and with their help we’re aiming to raise awareness of the early signs of stroke and how to act FAST." 
 
Source: www.businessworld.ie