74 Miles in March: Hillingdon Stroke Support Group gets fit!

Hillingdon Stroke Support Group signed up to the Stroke Association’s 74 Miles in March challenge, bringing members and supporters outdoors. On pavements, paths and parks they walked, wheeled and ran. 

As 240 people in the UK have a stroke every day, there were 7,440 new stroke survivors in the 31 days of March. The Stroke Association’s challenge was to walk 1 mile for every 100 people affected.

Photo caption:

This was the view one supporter had, walking in the park in early March

The Hillingdon group responded in their own way, adding up all the distances covered by members, family and friends to see how far they could go. The total was an astonishing 1,222.5 miles.

As one supporter said: 

“That extra half mile is important! One member, who learnt to walk again last year 

after a stroke and intensive physiotherapy, pushed a walking frame around their 

garden three times each week in March, and then once again on the last day, 

covering exactly half a mile.” 

Another added:

“I go shopping 3 times a week in Uxbridge, so by the time I’ve walked up and down 

the High Street and been in the shops, I’ve walked a mile! In March I did that 13 

times, so my total was 13 miles - more than I thought I could do!”

Other members downloaded a pedometer onto their phone to measure their monthly distance, including one, who has a visual impairment, and who was shocked to read 41.5 miles at the end of March. 

A family member walked 60 miles, then asked the local darts team and pub customers for donations, and raised £50 in one evening! 

A supporter who walked 66 miles asked their friends and acquaintances to give a donation during March and raised over £220. The largest donation from a single person was over £120, and the largest distance run was 240 miles, by a family member!

What were the benefits of the challenge? 

- The group raised much needed funds, to help stroke survivors find strength 

through support and rebuild their lives. 

- Group members, friends and families walked their way to fitness - an excellent 

achievement, and one that can prevent health problems in the future.

- Everyone achieved a boost to their wellbeing, breathing fresh air, exercising and 

being in contact with nature.

The group is looking towards the next challenge, the Stroke Association’s “Make May Purple! initiative. (Purple is the signature colour of the Stroke Association). This time the members won’t be checking their pedometers, but finding ways of raising awareness of stroke, and how to prevent strokes, in the local area. Look out for them in your local library or leisure centre - they could be coming to a place near you!