Truck drivers receive stroke information at Chippenham Pit Stop

Truck drivers calling at the Chippenham Pit Stop just off junction 17 of the M4 in Wiltshire during this will ‘see purple’ as part of a month of activities to raise awareness of strokes.

The Stroke Association has chosen purple as part of its wider awareness raising month. At the Pit Stop, staff wearing a splash of purple are giving out information leaflets and cupcakes with purple icing and purple smoothies are on sale in the restaurant.

Pit Stop health coordinator and former nurse Lisa Hatherell said spending long hours sitting behind a wheel all day and every day was not conducive to a healthy lifestyle. “The risk of a stroke approximately doubles for each decade of life from aged 55 and the UK’s truckers are already an ageing generation because with all its disadvantages most young people are not interested in being truckers anymore,” she said.

“Our leaflet provides tips on how to avoid becoming a stroke victim and is part of our on-going drive to offer our customers the opportunity of living more healthy lifestyles.”

The Pit Stop already provides drivers with an outside exercise gym, offers healthy eating options in the restaurant and uses healthier cooking processes, Hatherell added.