GB rowers help launch Stroke for Stroke week

Olympic silver medallist Matt Langridge and Olympic bronze medallist Elise Laverick were in London today to help launch Stroke for Stroke Week, a partnership between The Stroke Association and Siemens, the High Performance partner of GB Rowing.

Running from 27th October to 2nd November, the campaign challenges people to sign up to row 10km or more over the course of the week on an indoor rowing machine.

The aim is to raise awareness of the danger of strokes, which is the UK’s third biggest killer, and encourage people to increase their activity levels through regular exercise. 

Money raised through sponsorship will go towards much-needed funds for The Stroke Association’s ongoing research into prevention and treatment of stroke.

"The message is to encourage people, and especially business people, to do more exercise", commented Langridge of the campaign, which is now in its second year. "Indoor rowing is something everyone can do, and if it is done in short bursts it can fit into anyone’s daily schedule".

"You’ll feel better for doing some activity in your day, so why not start with indoor rowing?" added Laverick.

As an added incentive to get involved, this year Siemens have teamed up with LA Fitness to offer free access to their nationwide network of gyms to anyone taking part in the campaign. Siemens are also offering the top fundraiser the chance to watch the GB Rowing squad train at their national training centre in Caversham.

In particular, the campaign hopes to encourage Britain’s workforce to use exercise as a way of keeping healthy and reducing stress levels. 

Andreas J. Goss, chief executive of Siemens in the UK, said "regular exercise is absolutely key for individuals and businesses in maintaining a health, happy and productive workforce, so we fully endorse The Stroke Association’s call for UK employers to become much more proactive in this area."

For more information, please visit www.siemens.co.uk/strokeforstroke