News

CAMBRIDGE ‘PUTTS’ ITS HEART FIRST

Young carers in Cambridge have been given a helping hand in living healthier lifestyles with the chance to learn how to play golf, thanks to a grant from national charity, Heart Research UK.

Many young carers in the UK are often responsible for shopping and preparing meals for those they care for, yet because of finance, time and their own limited skills, unhealthy convenience foods can prove the easier option. When coupled with low self-confidence and motivation and a lack of exercise, it all points to an increased risk of long term heart disease.

Now, the ‘Happy Hearts’ message is being spread to young carers living in Cambridge by Centre 33’s Young Carers Project, thanks to a £5,000 Healthy Heart Grant from national charity, Heart Research UK.

Centre 33 Young Carers Project provide a range of services for 8-18 year olds who support a family member with a long term illness, disability, mental health problem or who misuse drugs or alcohol.

Through the ‘Happy Hearts’ projects, Cambridge-based Centre 33 will work intensively with 20 young carers, aged 8-18 who live in rural South Cambridgeshire, to improve their understanding of heart health and give them the skills to lead heart-healthier lifestyles and reduce their risk of obesity and heart disease.

Due to the fact that 11% of young carers do no exercise, 22% have three or more snack foods a day and 22% watch two or more hours of television a day, the need for this project is tremendous and the importance of it has been highlighted in these figures.

For more information about Centre 33’S Young Carers Programme please go to - www.centre33.org.uk or call 01223 307488.

Sam Hill, Fundraiser at Centre 33, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Heart Research UK to deliver this project to the community in Cambridgeshire. We hope that the young carers find the experience informative and fun and understand the importance of keeping a ‘Healthy Heart’ and hopefully change their lifestyles for the better.”

“The young carers really enjoyed learning how to play golf today, it has been so much fun – I really loved seeing the session in action.”

Barbara Harpham, National Director at Heart Research UK, says: “It’s great to get this special group focusing on their heart health through this fun programme and receive the support they need to make positive lifestyle changes. Young carers do a fantastic job looking after others, but they also need to pay attention to their own health and the “Happy Hearts” programme will give them the skills and encouragement to do so."

CLIMB BEN NEVIS AND HELP HEART RESEARCH UK

Mountaineer, Rebecca Stephens, the first British woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest, is supporting national charity, Heart Research UK and its walkers on their first trek to the summit of the highest mountain in the UK – Ben Nevis.

The Heart Research UK event will take place on Friday 11 October – Sunday 13 October 2013, helping Heart Research UK to raise much needed funds for medical research and Healthy Heart projects in Scotland.

Rebecca is urging walkers and hikers to put their best foot forward and take on this challenge of a lifetime.

Standing at 1,344 metres (4,409 ft) above sea level, in the Scottish Highlands, close to the town of Fort William – Ben Nevis is known for its spectacular and dramatic views of the Highlands & Western Isles, making all your effort worthwhile.

There’s no climbing involved, you will follow a path, over uneven terrain at times, rising gradually in places with steeper and rocky sections. Guides will be on hand throughout the day to support and assist you.

There is a non-refundable entry fee of £50 and participants must pledge to raise a minimum of £500 (not including Gift Aid) for Heart Research UK - £200 of this to be raised by 15 September 2013.

As part of the weekend you will get coach transfers between Glasgow (Central Train Station or International Airport) and Fort William on the Friday and Sunday afternoons, two nights hotel accommodation in Fort William including all meals, a celebration party on the Saturday evening as well as full support from Heart Research UK in the form t-shirts, sponsor forms and fundraising ideas and top tips.

Rebecca Stephens, Mountaineer, says: “Climbing Ben Nevis is a real challenge, not something to be taken lightly – but what an achievement! By taking part, not only will you be helping a very worthy cause but you’ll be committing to an active and healthier lifestyle in the process. I am excited to be supporting Heart Research UK’s first Ben Nevis Challenge and I wish all the hikers the best of luck with their adventure.”

Lynne Desborough, Fundraiser at Heart Research UK, says: “Register now to join us for a challenging but fun weekend where you’ll reach the summit of the highest mountain the UK and help us to raise much needed funds to help continue the fight against heart disease.”

To register please visit http://www.heartresearch.org.uk/hike-your-heart-ben-nevis-challenge-2013 and the HRUK team will be in touch to confirm your place and send you a fundraising pack.

If you have any questions contact Lynne in the fundraising team on 0113 234 7474 or email fundraising@heartresearch.org.uk.

Healthy Tip: You can walk for miles and miles and miles and……….

The start of May kicks off with a national bank holiday and is the perfect time to take to the beautiful countryside and stride out for heart-health. The benefits of regular walking are endless; not only is it free, it doesn’t require any equipment and almost anyone can do it, walking can improve your fitness levels, trim your waistline, reduce stress levels and save money on transport costs. Brisk walking can also help to keep healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, it can also help to keep strong bones and muscles to improve posture and protect against muscular-skeletal disorders. So, with nothing to lose and everything to gain, use the month of May to get into your stride.

Here are a few tips and interesting facts to motivate you to step up to a healthy heart throughout 2013 and beyond.

Get competitive with friends, family and colleagues by logging your steps, miles or walking routes over the week. Alternatively, invest in a pedometer and aim for at least 10,000 steps each day.
At an average speed of 3.5 mph it takes only 17 minutes to walk a mile, so take a brisk walk at lunchtime and clock up an extra five miles each week. At around 6 calories per minute you’ll be burning up an extra 500 calories each week.
Add more foot mileage by walking to work, parking further away or getting off the bus a stop earlier. You’ll be surprised at how many steps you clock up and how quickly you see improvements in energy, alertness and your waist line.
If you fancy a personal challenge, then the Yorkshire Three Peaks event on Saturday 15th June is an ideal opportunity to enjoy some spectacular views of the Yorkshire Dales and give you a great sense of achievement. The challenge is to complete the 25 mile route in under 12 hours and if you hike at an average speed of 3mph, you could burn more than 4000 calories which is equivalent to burning over one pound of body fat. Check out http://www.heartresearch.org.uk/hike-your-heart-yorkshire-three-peaks-ch...

So look down at your feet and keep them moving wherever and whenever you can. Stride out, stomp away the pounds, soak up the natural beauty that surrounds you and take steps towards a healthy heart.

A BICYCLE BUILT FOR SEVEN COMPLETES YORKSHIRE CHALLENGE

Yorkshire fundraising adventurer, Geoff Major has completed another daring challenge to raise funds for Heart Research UK and two other charities.

Geoff on Friday (26 April) began a cycling challenge on a seven-seater circular bicycle on a four-day ‘UK Mini Tour’ travelling160 miles across Yorkshire and into Manchester and Bolton where he was accompanied along the way by 24 other people, including a team from Heart Research UK.

On the four day bike ride Geoff, 51, and his fellow cyclists travelled an average of 40 miles per day over four legs - from York to Leeds, Leeds to Huddersfield, Huddersfield to Manchester and Manchester to Bolton’s Hospice and back.

The ‘UK Mini Tour’ began on Friday in York and finished in Manchester on Monday (29th). But his adventures on the bike don’t stop there, as this tour is simply a training exercise for two bigger tours that Geoff plans to complete on the seven-seater Conference Bike in the future.

The £8,000 bike, known as the Conference Bike, was designed by Eric Staller, an American designer and was made a reality in 1991 by an German engineering company, which they have continued to manufacture ever since for customers around the world.

‘Get Cycling’, who are the largest independent bicycle shop in York, have donated the bike for free to Geoff’s UK Mini Tour, encouraging him to raise funds for their charity of the year - Disability Action Yorkshire.

Geoff is also supporting Heart Research UK and Muscular Dystrophy and the important work they are all carrying out. Geoff has been fundraising for Heart Research UK for a number of years as he wants to help raise awareness and funds for pioneering research into heart disease.

Geoff said: "Several years ago a close member of the family suffered a heart attack, so severe their heart stopped. Thankfully, due to a triple heart by-pass, they survived and without the pioneering work of Heart Research UK, this may have not been possible.”

In 2010 Geoff undertook his first charity adventure by cycling across Cuba. On his return he searched the internet for ideas that would stretch him mentally and physically, at which point he decided he wanted to ski-trek to the North Pole.

After a year of training and fundraising he completed the trek in April 2012 and raised almost £18,000 for charity.

While looking for another adventure he found friends and business contacts were excited at the prospect of undertaking a personal challenge themselves. Whilst he has already set his sights on further challenges, he wants to give others the opportunity, inspiration and support to be involved. Geoff plans to complete at least two adventure challenges each year, up to and including 2020. The challenges are unusual and offer others the opportunity to test themselves as well as raising important funds for charities like Heart Research UK.

The two challenges for 2013 are the 160-mile cycle mini tour on the seven-seater circular bicycle and a trek across 105km of the Sahara desert. This mini tour is the first in a trio of increasingly challenging bike rides over the coming years.

Geoff added: "Although great progress has been made, heart disease remains one of the UK's most significant health issues but I have seen, first-hand, the benefits to my family. That is why, from my North Pole trek and throughout all my future adventures, I will continue to fundraise for Heart Research UK.

“I’d also like to thank White Knights and North West Blood Bikes; two charities offering us hi-visibility motorcycle safety support.”

Barbara Harpham, National Director at Heart Research UK, said: “We are so grateful for all the fundraising Geoff does for Heart Research UK – this mini tour and the events to follow will be some fantastic achievements, ones not to be taken lightly. We wish Geoff the best of luck on his Mini Tour and his upcoming events.”

For more information on these and future challenges or to donate to Geoff, please visit www.morethanjustgiving.com

Healthy Tip: Ease up on the red meat for a healthy heart

Meat is a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals, however, eating too much red or processed meat can spell bad news for your arteries and heart. New research, published in Nature Medicine, suggests that L-carnitine, a nutrient found in abundance in red and processed meat, is associated with the build-up of plaque in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease. By following the UK recommendation of no more than 70g of red or processed meat per day your L-carnitine intake will be minimal. Remember though to choose lean cuts of red meat and keep your intake of processed meats low so your saturated fat and salt intake is kept to a heart-healthier minimum too.

With the warmer weather bringing the picnic and BBQ season upon us, it is easy to pile the red meat on the grill and use in sandwiches so here are some quick tips to keep you and your heart healthy during the spring and summer months ahead.

Healthier red meat alternatives

Go for the lower-fat turkey and chicken instead of red meat and serve without the skin.
Cut back on processed meat products such as bacon, sausages, salami, pâté and beef burgers and if you’re buying pre-packed meat, check the label for the fat and salt content and compare products.
Try to limit meat products in pastry, such as pies and sausage rolls, which are often high in fat and salt.
Try barbecuing fresh fish to give it a fantastic smoky flavour – an oily fish such as salmon, sardines or tuna will give you all the benefits of omega-3 too.
Add colour to your plate with BBQ’d corn-on-the-cob or vegetable skewers made up of peppers, onions, courgettes and mushrooms. Marinade them in herbs and lemon juice beforehand for extra taste.
A high protein bean salad makes a tasty lower calorie alternative to meat, and is less costly too.
Fill wholemeal pitta bread with a crunchy green side salad of lettuce, spinach, cucumber, tomato and spring onions with a low-fat dressing to help you achieve your five-a-day.
Remember that food hygiene is important when storing, preparing and cooking meat.

The new fresh flavours of spring are one of life’s great pleasures so enjoy some sizzling dishes and healthy picnic foods without giving your heart and arteries a red-meat overload.