Wigan’s Stroke Awareness Day organised by the members of the Rotary Club of Wigan in conjunction with the Stroke Association UK was held on Saturday 13th April 2019, with the Mayor Elect of Wigan, Cllr. Steve Dawber and his son Oliver in attendance to open the proceedings. The event is named in honour of the services that Rtn. Dr. Venk Mani gave to Stroke Awareness in the past. Rtn. Dr. Mani sadly passed away in 2016.

This twelth annual event proved to be very successful for the Tesco customers and Nurses from the Stroke Awareness Association ably assisted by medically trained members of the Rotary Club of Wigan offered free blood pressure checks throughout the day. This opportunity was taken up by many shoppers. High blood pressure, which is not always recognised by the patient, is the biggest risk factor in the cause of strokes, and can be easily treated and controlled by medication.

All people who volunteer to have their blood pressures estimated on that day were given their respective readings and advice to consult their general practitioner for a further check and/or treatment as appropriate.

The Rotary Club of Wigan want to encourage the people of Wigan to take this great opportunity to have a free check and help themselves and Rotary’s efforts in the prevention of strokes in our community. Its not often that a FREE ‘gift ‘comes along which can save a person’s life. Many thanks to Tesco for allowing us to use the premises for such a worthy cause.