Middleton Park hosts healthy heart fun

10 Minutes That Could Change Your Life

With Coronary Heart Disease remaining the single biggest killer in the UK, friendship group Leeds Oddfellows is inviting local residents to take action, ditch the slippers and join them at their upcoming healthy heart outing to Middleton Park in South Leeds on Sunday 11 June 2017.

Meeting at 1pm at Middleton Railway, Hunslet (LS10 2JQ), the family-friendly event kicks off with a steam train ride to nearby nature reserve in Middleton Woods. Return tickets for the train cost £6 for adults and £2.50 for children and can be purchased on the day.

From there, the friendship group will be taking a wheelchair and buggy-friendly wander through the ancient woodland to arrive in the park at around 2pm. Supported by the Friends of Middleton Park protection group, the action-packed afternoon also features entertainment from the award-winning Tingley Brass Band. Light refreshments are available from the café.

Helen Bullock, Oddfellows Social Organiser said:

“Research from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) shows that by being active a few times a day, for even just 10 minutes, can be as influential on your health as giving up smoking or maintaining a balanced diet. But we all know how difficult it can be to take that first step towards getting more exercise, and incorporating it into your daily routine.

“Our family outing is all about getting you moving in a fun and friendly way, whatever your age or ability. And it’s all for a good cause too as we’ll be fundraising for the BHF along the way.”

As part of its healthy heart programme, Leeds Oddfellows is also staging a tai chi starter session on Thursday June 15 at 10.30am. Meeting at Unity Court, 431 Meanwood Road, Leeds (LS7 2LD), the event is suitable for all ages and abilities and costs £1.50 per person.

For over 50 years, the BHF has pioneered research that has transformed the lives of people living with heart and circulatory conditions.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) – heart and circulatory – is the cause of more than a quarter (26 per cent) of all deaths in the UK with nearly 160,000 deaths each year – an average of 435 people each day or one death every three minutes. Around 42,000 people under the age of 75 in the UK die from CVD each year.

Katherine Stybelski, Fundraising Manager for the BHF who promote the benefits of physical activity on heart health said:

“The Oddfellows’ activities set an excellent example of how everyone can help themselves by taking exercise in a fun and social way. We hope the event inspires people to take that all-important 10 minutes of activity each day. It really does make the difference in preventing and managing heart disease.”

To book your place and find out more about the Oddfellows healthy heart outing call Helen on (0113) 242 4003, email helen.bullock@oddfellows.co.uk or visit www.oddfellows.co.uk/HealthyHeart.

Based in Leeds, the Society’s members regularly get together to enjoy social events such as talks and trips out, lunches, craft sessions and coffee mornings.

As part of its Healthy Heart programme, the Oddfellows is offering a free activity tracker to anyone becoming a member of the Society in June to promote the importance of keeping fit on the go.