May is the Stroke Assocation’s national awareness month and the island is joining in by holding a series of events.

The awareness campaign is titled ’Make May Purple’ and the Stroke Association has partnered with the Stroke Unit at Noble’s Hospital and the Manx Stroke Foundation to raise awareness of the impact of stroke, and share information and advice on how to help prevent the condition.

Together they are calling on everyone to go purple and raise vital funds, to show support for people who have been affected by stroke.

This evening (Monday) the Tower of Refuge, Ramsey Harbour Swing Bridge and the Power Station in Douglas will be lit purple for the launch of the campaign and they will remain lit up until Wednesday.

On Sunday, May 14, the first Step out for Stroke walk in the Isle of Man will take place on Douglas Promenade, starting at 11am.

The family fundraising event is open to everyone, regardless of age or ability and the charity is calling on people to register now and take part alongside local stroke survivors and their families.

The day will include lots of family-friendly activities including a children’s purple fancy dress.

Nicola Chambers, aged 39, from Douglas, had a stroke in April last year, which affected her short term memory. She’ll be marking a year milestone in her recovery by taking part in the walk.

Mother of one Nicola said: ’I wanted to take part in the Step out for Stroke to celebrate how far I’ve come in my recovery. When I spotted the event on social media I knew I wanted to get involved. My son Luke will be taking part alongside me on the day.’

To find out how you can take part in the walk visit www.stroke.org.uk/fundraising/annual-fundraising-events/step-out-stroke

From May 22 until June 2, Noble’s Hospital will be joining in with the campaign by decorating the hospital foyer in purple.

The hospital’s stroke ward will also be decorated purple for the full month of May with the Stroke Consultant dressed in purple one day a week throughout May.

The hospital will also hold a Stroke Awareness event in the hospital canteen where Creative Juices have made a purple juice drink for visitors.

This will take place from 10am until 2pm on Thursday, May 25.

A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain.

There are more than 100,000 strokes in the UK each year; that is around one stroke every five minutes, and over 1.2 million people in the UK living with the effects of stroke.

To get involved with the Make May Purple campaign visit www.stroke.org.uk/makemaypurple