Residents are being urged to get fitter and healthier this year by signing up to Gateshead Council’s Active and Healthy campaign.
Residents and council staff are encouraged to take part in the campaign which runs for a year and was launched last week with 200 Gateshead school children taking part in a mass hula hoop event at Gateshead International Stadium.
Yesterday Leader of the Gateshead Council and ward councillors set off from Gateshead Old Town Hall to take part in a walking bus around the Quayside.
Many of the councillors underwent voluntary health checks with Gateshead Council’s in-house health trainers and have been given advice on how to become healthier.
The Healthy and Active project, which will support Gateshead as the European City of Sport 2010, is also part of Gateshead Council’s Vision 20:30 to increase the life span of residents across the Borough by promoting good health and making activities more accessible.
Throughout the year there will be more fun challenges to take part which will be advertised on this website.
Experts who are based at Gateshead Council including health trainers, are on hand throughout the year to monitor BMI, weight loss, blood pressure and to discuss any health or fitness issues of Gateshead residents.
Later this year the Gateshead Council’s entry to Chelsea Flower Show will pay homage to the Great North Run in keeping with the theme of Active and Healthy with its replica of the Tyne Bridge and runners.
Leader of Gateshead Council Mick Henry said: “Gateshead Council is proud to be promoting optimum health and fitness across the Borough and encourages as many people as possible to take advantage of the Active and Healthy campaign.
“We aim to help people improve the quality of their life through the campaign I hope residents put their best foot forward in 2010 and get involved and become healthier.”
To make an appointment with a health trainer ring 0191 433 3000