Invitation to a free walking event

Rochdale Canal

Following the success of past Hearty Lives walks, local people are invited to come along to a free walking event on Thursday 4 April.

The 10.4 mile Middleton to Littleborough walk has been organised by the local community British Heart Foundation (BHF) nurses and Mickey Pearson, Healthy Walks Co-ordinator from Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust.

Walkers will put their best foot forward from Demesne Community Centre, Asby Close, Langley, at 9.45am and hang up their walking boots at Hollinworth Lake, Rochdale at around 4.00pm.

The route is mostly level terrain along canal tow paths and people don’t need to complete the whole route. They can opt to join in at one of the following ‘pick up points’ along the way (all times are approximate):

• Queen’s Park, Heywood: 10.30am 
• Castleton Community Centre: 11.45am 
• Syke Community Centre: 1.20pm 
• Deeplish Community Centre: 1.30pm 
• Smallbridge Community Centre: 1.50pm

Arrangements for a lunch break are in the process of being agreed.

Walkers will need to make their own transport arrangements, come suitably dressed and bring their own food and drink.

Ngaire Smith, BHF Cardiovascular Specialist Nurse for Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Walking is a fantastic way for people to start doing some exercise – it’s free, can be as slow or fast as you like and works every muscle in the body. So, we decided that a health walk around the borough would be an ideal way for local residents to get involved, get active and meet new people of all ages.”

“It’s important that we all take part in regular physical activity to keep our hearts healthy, keep our weight in check and reduce our chances of developing a serious illness or having a heart attack.”

To register for the health walk, or for more information, phone Mickey on 0161 6551478 or Ngaire on 01706 261 896.

To help improve the borough’s heart health, the BHF has teamed up with Pennine Care and NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group to deliver the BHF Hearty Lives programme.

As part of Hearty Lives, three specialist BHF nurses work in the community to provide advice and support to people who need to improve or maintain their health.