Chair-less Christmas

Dear Echo News,

I feel sorry for the Father Christmas who has had to walk around the Kalamunda shopping centre.

From my observation, he wasn’t given a chair to sit on so the children could come to him to make their Christmas wishes, and I also did not witness that he was supplied a few sweets to give the children.

What has happened to the Christmas spirit in Kalamunda. Bring back the good old days.

N Walsh

Kalamunda

A five minute resolution

Dear Echo News,

At this busy time of year, we hear so much about making New Year’s resolutions in an effort to improve our health.

Eating better, drinking less, exercising more, quitting smoking, and drinking more water are a few.

While these are all important steps in helping reduce your stroke risk, one of the simplest things you can do which could save your life is getting your blood pressure checked.

Blood pressure is the single biggest modifiable risk factor for stroke and it can be managed with medication.

High blood pressure damages blood vessel walls and makes them weaker causing a burst blood vessel and a stroke.

Around 4.1 million of us have high blood pressure and many of us don’t realise it. Unfortunately, high blood pressure is a silent killer, it has no symptoms.

The only way to know if it is a health issue for you is by having it checked by your doctor or pharmacist.

You can control your blood pressure by reducing your salt intake and changing your diet and lifestyle, particularly through regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight.

We often hear stories from survivors of stroke and their carers that stroke changed their family’s life over the Christmas period.

Often, they miss the warning signs because they were celebrating or didn’t want to be a burden on their family. But it is always better to be safe rather than sorry.

Stroke can change lives in an instant. It attacks the brain – the human control centre – and can strike anyone of any age.

More than 27,400 people had a stroke for the first time in 2023, which equates to one every 19 minutes.

The good news is 80 per cent of strokes can be prevented. Make having regular blood pressure checks a priority in 2024.

Be aware of your stroke risk and take steps to manage it. Do it for yourself and do it for your family.

If you think you are too young to have a stroke, think again. One in three people who has a stroke is of working age.

It will only take five minutes, and it could save your life.

L Murphy

Stroke Foundation

Christmas miracles

Dear Echo News,

I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the amazing support and generosity The Salvation Army has received from the Australian community again this year.

We at the Salvos want you to know that your acts of kindness have made a huge difference to the thousands of people we help every day.

Reflecting on the many heartfelt stories I have heard, I am reminded of countless families whose lives have been transformed by your immense support and we thank you.

Your compassion has brought much-needed hope and joy to individuals and families, especially at Christmas time.

One family shared: “The Salvos’ help and kindness have meant that we’ve been able to put presents under the tree and see the joy on our kids’ faces on Christmas morning.”

Another said: “The Salvation Army gave my children and I a sense of Christmas and that there are still people who care.”

In a moment of vulnerability, another person confided: “The Salvos allowed me to feel like I was worthy. In my darkest hour, they provided a hand up, which gave me the strength to keep going.”

So, thank you.

Your contributions, whether big or small, have made an incredible difference in the lives of so many and allowed us to do what we do best – helping others and ensuring nobody struggles alone.

Your donations and time spent volunteering has helped to provide tens of thousands of food hampers, more than 132,000 meals and over 250,000 gifts and toys to families this Christmas.

We simply could not do what we do without you.

If you need support or for more information about The Salvation Army, please visit salvationarmy.org.au or call 13 SALVOS (13 72 58).

C R Walters

The Salvation Army