- 01/10/2014
- Posted by: Joyce Watson MS
- Category: Feature
![](https://www.joycewatson.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/version_1.jpg)
Joyce Watson AM has welcomed Royal Mail Group’s decision to choose the Stroke Association as its new Charity of the Year.
From this week, letters delivered across the UK will be postmarked with a message reading: “Royal Mail proud to support Stroke Association”. The stamp will be used extensively for the next two years.
Mrs Watson leads the stroke group of AMs at the Welsh Assembly. She said:
“This postmark will appear on millions of letters over the next two years. Let’s hope it helps raise millions of pounds for the Stroke Association.
“Having worked with the charity for many years, I have seen first-hand the fantastic work its staff and volunteers do – supporting survivors, campaigning for better services and funding research into treatment and prevention.
“Stroke is the third biggest cause of death or serious illness in Wales. With Royal Mail’s support, I hope more people will be more aware of the risks of stroke, and the Stroke Association can help more survivors make their best possible recovery.”
The Stroke Association was chosen to be the company’s charity partner after around 40,000 Royal Mail employees selected it in a staff vote.
The company aims to raise at least £2 million for the charity over the next two years. It will match every penny raised by employees through fundraising, up to £1 million.
Money raised will help the Stroke Association provide Life After Stroke grants of up to £300 to help around 10,000 stroke survivors. The partnership will also aim to raise awareness of the condition as well as steps people can take to reduce their stroke risk.