Saturday 22 June 2019

AD | A Stroke of Luck

A Stroke of Luck, a new charity for and ran by Stroke Survivors, launches in the UK.

AD | Hello lovelies! A survivor-led charity has launched in the UK and is generating a buzz of excitement amongst the stroke survivor community. The Merseyside based charity has been set up to support the recovery of stroke survivors using physical rehabilitation through the guidance of fitness professionals.


Founder & CEO, Craig Pankhurst is passionate about creating a better way of life for survivors. A former International swimmer himself, Craig has a background in health and fitness and this coupled with surviving his stroke in 2018 led him to create a stroke charity with exercise at its core.

The concept of A Stroke of Luck is simple: matching stroke survivors with local fitness professionals to get them physically active. A digital platform is currently being built ready for launch later in 2019. This platform will allow stroke survivors to register and create a personal profile. They will become a member of the ‘A Stroke of Luck Survivor’s Club’. This club will provide health and wellbeing advice as well as access to fitness videos. Fitness Professionals will also register on the platform and create their personal profile where they will become a member of the ‘A Stroke of Luck Expert’s Club’. By registering on the platform, Personal Trainers will have access to new prospective clients. Funding received by A Stroke of Luck will be converted to credits. These credits can be used by the Stroke Survivor to book a session with a qualified A Stroke of Luck approved Fitness Professional.

The demand for a charity like A Stroke of Luck has been recognised as often the results of a stroke leave a survivor with significant motor and neuro challenges. The physical, mental, emotional, and social impacts of a stroke can be damaging to the survivor’s appetite for life. Providing the opportunity for survivors to engage with additional physical rehabilitation can only aid recovery and wellbeing.

Chad James, CEO of Ubiquity Group, a fully integrated communications agency recognised the aspirations of A Stroke of Luck and has already undertaken work to aid the growth of the charity.

“When I met with Craig in Autumn 2018, I immediately wanted Ubiquity Group to be part of this incredible initiative. My team has engaged with Craig to develop the brand, the website, the social channels, and the ongoing build of the portal ready for launch later this year,” he said. “We are proud to be supporting A Stroke of Luck”.

Craig says that the charity does not aim for stroke survivors to just survive but to thrive in their day to day lives.

“This mantra will drive us to be one of the biggest stroke charities in the UK,” he said. “A Stroke of Luck’s aim is to engage with each and every stroke survivor who wants our support. We would like to enhance the lives of every stroke survivor, regardless of their post-stroke effects, by giving them access to long-term physical and emotional care following the discharge from the medical professionals”.

Stroke Survivors, PTs, or anyone who would like to support A Stroke of Luck, can register their details on their website. The charity is in its early stages and is seeking all the support it can gain. A charity ball will be hosted in September 2019 to celebrate the launch of the online portal at Anfield Stadium and tickets will be available to purchase shortly.