SHARON MCGOWAN, STROKE FOUNDATION CEO

STROKE Foundation is delighted to celebrate National Volunteer Week (May 18-24), and what a fitting theme it has this year; ‘Changing communities. Changing Lives’. The theme has never been more relevant than today when we are all facing great change due to the impact of COVID-19.

I would like to thank the incredible Stroke Foundation volunteers who are steadfast in making change for good. They support us every step of the way on our mission to prevent stroke, save lives and enhance recovery.

In 2019, more than 270 volunteers dedicated a total of 15,300 hours to Stroke Foundation across 34 different programs. This is an incredible feat and we could not do our important work without them.

Every single volunteer has an impact on improving the state of stroke in Australia. Whether it be distributing stroke resources to hospitals, assisting with research and fundraising projects, educating the community about stroke or

sharing their stroke experience with the media and members of parliament to increase awareness of the disease.

The current environment has meant changes to the way many people volunteer. Innovation and technology has paved the way for some roles to be home-based, opening our eyes to future possibilities. While the style of volunteering may have changed, the need for volunteering has not. Volunteers are vital.

Whether you are a volunteer for Stroke Foundation or another organisation in the community, you are doing an extraordinary job.

Thank you for your generosity, time and dedication, which truly changes communities and changes lives for the better.