OLYMPIC rowers Peter Reed and Zac Purchase are encouraging people to go for gold in a bid to improve stroke awareness.

The pair, who both won gold at the Bejing Olympics, are backing the third annual Stroke for Stroke campaign.

Launched by Siemens plc and The Stroke Association the campaign will run between 25 and 31 January and will challenge members of the public to row 10km (or more) during the week, helping to raise vital funds In addition to raising funds, the campaign aims to highlight that anybody, irrespective of age, can suffer from a stroke and that a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy diet and regular exercise such as rowing, can help to significantly reduce the risks.

NHS Gloucestershire is also throwing its weight behind Stroke for Stroke and is helping to promote awareness locally.

With 967 emergency admissions for stroke in the county in 2008, Dr Ian Bye, GP Clinical Lead for Stroke Services at NHS Gloucestershire and local GP at Locking Hill Surgery, said anything which reduces the risk is important.

He said: “There are many risk factors for stroke, several of which can be changed.

“Awareness of these factors can have a significant impact on anyone who is at risk, potentially preventing death or disability. Exercise is a key factor within an individual’s control which can be can be changed to reduce the risk.”

Olympic rower, Zac Purchase, from Tewkesbury is backing the campaign, along with his fellow Gloucestershire rowers including Nailsworth’s Peter Reed, Hartpury’s Natasha Page and Gloucester’s Beth Rodman.

Zac said: “Regular exercise is a key factor in staying healthy and reducing the risk of stroke, and rowing is an ideal, all-round, low-impact workout. It’s great to be involved in the Stroke for Stroke campaign and we hope to help raise plenty of money and awareness.”

His fellow gold medalist Peter added: “We know that exercise can help prevent strokes and rowing is one of the best forms of exercise you can get. There are opportunities to use rowing machines in gyms or take to the water through a rowing club to get you started. I’m delighted that Siemens and the GB Rowing Team are supporting the Stroke Association and the work that they do”.

The campaign, a joint initiative by The Stroke Association and Siemens, the High Performance Partner of GB Rowing, is now in its third year and has raised over £70,000 to date by encouraging members of the public to complete a sponsored 10km row. Head of Corporate Fundraising at The Stroke Association, James Beeby said: “Each year an estimated 150,000 people in the UK will suffer a stroke. Stroke for Stroke is now in its third year and a campaign like this is integral to raising awareness of how regular exercise and lifestyle choices can help prevent a stroke. This year we are anticipating an even greater number of people to get involved and support The Stroke Association’s vital research into stroke prevention and treatment.”

Andreas J. Goss, chief executive, Siemens in the UK, said: “Stroke is the UK’s third biggest killer and contrary to popular belief it can affect people of any age. Siemens is delighted to be able to use our partnership with GB Rowing to help build awareness, raise much-needed funds for The Stroke Association.”

The campaign is open to everyone across the UK by visiting www.strokeforstroke.co.uk or calling 020 7566 1503.

Even those who can’t take part directly can still do their bit by visiting www.strokeforstroke.co.uk and sponsoring their colleagues, friends and family or the GB Rowing squad, as they put the kilometres from their punishing training regime towards the campaign.