I AM writing to ask your readers to join me in cheering on the valiant runners taking part in the Flora London Marathon on Sunday for the Stroke Association.

As an official charity of the marathon this year, the Stroke Association has nearly 500 men and women from across the United Kingdom running to raise funds and awareness of those affected by stroke, the UK's third-biggest killer.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and taking regular exercise can play a part in preventing a stroke, so training for the marathon may help runners reduce their own risk of having a stroke.

Forty per cent of strokes could be prevented through simple lifestyle changes, such as exercise, healthy eating, regular blood pressure checks, stopping smoking and cutting down on drinking.

Without these runners, who are taking on such a huge challenge on our behalf, the Stroke Association would not be able to carry out its vital work of supporting stroke survivors and educating the wider public about how to reduce their risk of having a stroke.

We are deeply grateful to them all. To find out more about how to support our runners on the day, or for information about our work and the causes and effects of strokes, please visit the website www.stroke.org.uk

Jon Barrick,

Chief executive,

The Stroke Association,

City Road,

London.

Updated: 09:46 Friday, April 21, 2006