Lachlan to rally for stroke funds

A PHILLIP Island man is about to head off on an adventure of a lifetime, all in the name of raising funds for the Stroke Foundation.
Lachlan Stephensen will lead team Smashed Avo in the Mongol Rally, a crazy endurance challenge for cars with an engine limit of just 1200cc, which weaves its way through Europe, Central Asia and finishes in Siberia.
The driving force for Lachlan’s mission is his brother Setten, who suffered a stroke at the age of 46.
Lachlan wants to raise awareness that stroke can strike at any age. He also wants to spread the word on how to recognise the FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) signs of stroke. Stroke is a time-critical emergency. The faster treatment is sought, the better the chance of recovery.
Setten was in his 40s when he suffered a stroke in 2016. He was fit and healthy and did not have any known risk factors for stroke.
The father of two collapsed in the kitchen of his home in Sydney after a bike ride. He took himself to bed rather than seeking immediate medical treatment. He did not realise he’d had a stroke.
Eighteen months on, Setten experiences challenges every day. He struggles with fatigue and has set himself a goal to walk again.
He is unable to drive and has not been able to return to work. Like many other young adult stroke survivors, the cause of his stroke is unknown. His stroke has had a huge impact on him personally and on his loved ones.
Setten, an adventurer at heart, is proud of his brother Lachlan for taking on the challenge of the Mongol Rally to raise funds to help the Stroke Foundation support stroke survivors and their families.
Lachlan said the stroke has presented significant challenges to Setten and his family – physically, mentally and financially. It has sparked Lachlan to adopt a healthier lifestyle himself and to spread the FAST message.
Stroke is one of Australia’s biggest killers and a leading cause of disability. An estimated 56,000 strokes are expected in 2018, including almost 500 in the Flinders electorate.
A trivia night to raise funds was held last Thursday, May 24 at the Archies Creek Hotel.
The rally will be held from July 14 to September 10.
Team smashed Avo is aiming to raise $10,000. To donate, go to Smashed Avo Everyday Hero page https://doit4stroke.everydayhero.com/au/teamsmashedavo

On the way: Lachlan Stephensen and team member Kathleen Denny will take part in the Mongol Rally to raise funds for the Stroke Foundation, and will race in this small vehicle.

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Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Jun 5 2018. Filed under Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry