James Cracknell Launches Siemens Stroke for S...( LONDON October 17 /- - With Ph...),Health

LONDON, October 17 /PRNewswire/ --

- With Photo

- Business Executives Encouraged to Join Forces to Row Around the World, Raising Awareness of Stroke and Funds for the Stroke Association

Tom White, chief executive, Siemens plc, and James Cracknell OBE, double Olympic gold medallist, today launched 'Siemens Stroke for Stroke Week' in partnership with The Stroke Association. The campaign aims to highlight the positive benefits of regular exercise and to raise funds for The Stroke Association, by encouraging the business community to sign up to rowing 10k in the gym, between 3rd-9th December 2007. Siemens, the High Performance Partner of GB Rowing, hopes the campaign will see participants covering the entire distance around the world (40,076km), raising thousands of pounds for The Stroke Association to fund vital research.

Siemens has created Stroke for Stroke Week to encourage the business community to take more regular exercise which can not only improve their health and reduce stress levels, but actually help to reduce the risk of stroke by up to 27%.

Tom White, chief executive, Siemens, said: "Stroke is often associated with older people, however it can affect anyone at any age. 25% of strokes occur in people under 65 and the impact of a busy, stressful working lifestyle can increase the risk of suffering a stroke. We wanted to highlight this important issue and help to raise vital funds for The Stroke Association. I'd encourage everyone to sign up to Stroke for Stroke Week and row their 10k!"

Rowing has been identified as an ideal form of exercise for busy, stressed executives, providing an effective cardiovascular workout, without putting stress on the joints. Stroke for Stroke Week will give participants the chance to discover the benefits of regular exercise by completing a sponsored 10k row over the course of the week.

James Cracknell commented, "I am delighted to be supporting Siemens Stroke for Stroke Week. Row
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