Inverness Caledonian Thistle Score Second Healthy Heart Grant
Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC have been awarded a second Healthy Heart Grant by Heart Research UK and sandwich franchise SUBWAY® stores to help spread the heart health message to primary schools in the Highlands.
It is the first time a grantee in Scotland has been awarded two consecutive Healthy Heart Grants to continue their projects across the Highlands. Last year, the sessions reached 90 primary schools and this year they hope to reach a further 80 schools. They will be targeting seven to 11 year old pupils in some of the country’s most remote areas.
The additional monies supplied by the Healthy Heart Grant will allow the project to reach out to more rural schools within the Highlands to ensure no-one is overlooked.
The project is a four week block of ‘footworx’, exercise classes done to music, based on basic movement patterns placed upon the body during a game of football, delivered in schools using a healthy heart message. After the sessions each child takes home and completes an exercise diary which is signed by a guardian, this encourages parents to get involved in the choices their child makes.
The activity is innovative and unique, and tracks each individuals’ reaction to the exercise exploring the different demands placed on the heart through physical activity.
Craig Masterton Head of Community Development at Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC says: “We are delighted to have been honoured with the first ever award of a second round of funding for the Healthy Heart Grant.
“We are very much looking forward to working in partnership with Heart Research UK and sandwich franchise SUBWAY® stores to expand and develop the delivery of our unique initiative throughout the whole of the highlands.
“Our programme aims to engage pupils and their families with lifestyle messages that are clearly memorable and I’m sure it will be a great success. We would once again like to thank Heart Research UK and sandwich franchise SUBWAY® stores for this wonderful opportunity.”
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Defender, Gary Warren with two pupils from Hilton Primary SchoolBarbara Harpham, National Director of Heart Research UK says: “We are delighted to offer a second grant to Inverness Caledonian Thistle Community Development Trust’s project. It is important that no matter how rural the school is, they can still benefit from great projects like this.”
Manaaz Akhtar, Regional Marketing Director for the SUBWAY® brand in Europe, says: “The SUBWAY® brand is delighted to be able to fund this worthwhile initiative. Thanks to the fundraising efforts of our staff and customers in Scotland, we have managed to support a unique community project which will help to promote heart health.”
You can also follow Heart Research UK on Twitter: @heartresearchuk or become a fan of our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heart-Research-UK/10733061906