A Central Coast high school student and her friends will be pounding the pavement this month, in honour of a much-loved member of the community.
17-year-old Tyler Cossor is making great strides throughout November, a fitting tribute to her beloved nan Lola Call, who died from a stroke last month, aged 78.
“Nan was such a huge part of my life. She was one of my biggest influencers. I can’t imagine a time when she wasn’t there, she was such a special lady,” Tyler said.
“Everyone loved her, and she touched so many people, she was really involved with sewing and golf, and she has passed on those passions to the rest of the family.”
Tyler and her dedicated friends are participating in Stride4Stroke, Stroke Foundation’s major annual physical fundraiser which urges people to set an activity goal to increase their ‘moving minutes’ by walking, running, cycling, swimming or setting a goal in stroke recovery.
The team has already smashed their $2,000 fundraising target.
“Throughout November I’ll make sure I’m moving every day and running most mornings. I know Nan would be so proud of us. She was very popular and loved being the centre of attention,” she said.
“Nan was a nurse, and I want to get into medicine after I finish school. I did work experience at a hospital while she was here with us, and I know she would have loved to see me pursue a career where I am caring for others the way she always did.”
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr Lisa Murphy commended Lola and her friends for being active throughout November, and for helping raise awareness and funds for stroke.
“We know that 80 per cent of strokes are preventable and taking steps to adopt a healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk,” Dr Murphy said.
“Stride4Stroke is a great starting point to make the changes that can reduce your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes which are all modifiable risk factors of stroke.
“Research tells us just 30 minutes of exercise five times a week can reduce your stroke risk by 25 per cent.”
Stride4Stroke runs throughout November. Every dollar raised will have an enormous impact by helping Stroke Foundation fight stroke, fund research and support survivors and their families at all stages of the recovery journey.