Healthy living for Marlacoo families

Adults and children from the Marlacoo area of Co Armagh have taken part in a health initiative encouraging participation in physical activity and healthy eating.

The healthy lifestyle programme was funded by the Southern Investing for Health Partnership’s (SIHP) Small Grants Programme. (A partnership supported by the Public Health Agency).

Marlacoo Rural Association applied to the SIHP for funding to host a number of projects aimed at increasing physical activity and raising awareness of the health related benefits of exercise and healthy eating.

The programme of events involved adults and children from the local area taking part in community based activities. Over a period of six weeks twenty-five primary school children took part in Hip Hop dance classes. A series of walks took place visiting various local areas to encourage those taking part to incorporate exercise into their daily outings. All participants received a healthy snack and a bottle of water at each event.

A special evening raising the awareness of the lifelong benefits of healthy eating, regular physical activity and alternative therapies also took place.

Pauline Grant, Secretary of Marlacoo Rural Association commented: “Thanks to the SIHP’s assistance with the small grant we were able to host a number of small projects for people of all ages within our community. These proved a great success. The children all thoroughly enjoyed the dance classes encouraging them to dance at home and the walking club proved popular among the adults.”

Investing for Health Officer, Elaine Devlin added: “The SIHP is delighted to fund this excellent programme of local action. Physical activity is a key priority for the Public Health Agency with regular exercise having a number of health related benefits. It can help to lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of stroke, diabetes or heart disease, helps weight control and can reduce the risk of some cancers.”

For further information on the Southern Investing for Health Partnership log onto www.southernifh.com.

- Ends -
For press enquiries contact: Elaine Hyde, PR Assistant on
Tel: 028 3741 4531.