Heartline celebrates 20th birthday

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The Chairman of Heartline, Peter Downing with the Mayor of Rochdale and Heartline's ladies rep, Val Screeton at the 20th birthday celebrations

Members of the Middleton Heartline group gathered at the Middleton Arena this morning (Friday 9 October 2010) to celebrate their 20th birthday.

The group, for people who have suffered from a heart attack or other heart problems was set up in 1990 by six people who were in rehab at North Manchester Hospital. At that time the members had little but a skipping rope between them.

The group progressed to having around 50 members and now, 20 years since they began,  Middleton Heartline has over 250 members. They meet twice a week at the Middleton Arena where they are able to exercise or simply meet up and socialise.

The group’s Ladies Representative, Val Screeton, said: “It is absolutely fabulous to be celebrating our 20th birthday; it is great – this club can’t close, we could not be without this club.

“We have to raise money to keep going and we are doing all we can because we need to keep going.”

George Beckett, one of the groups founding members, attended the celebration morning, he said: “I didn’t think it would still be here today. I have met some very nice friends and been on some great trips – it gets me out of the house. I have enjoyed it all and I would be lost without this club.”

The Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Zulfiqar Ali joined the group for this celebration, he said: “My thanks go to Heartline for setting this up 20 years ago.

“Today it is fantastic to see the facilities at the arena are so well used by people of a certain age group. There a two very important benefits, which are the exercise, and socialising.

“I would encourage more people to join and give support to the members.”