Local schools leading the way to help beat heart disease

To keep young Newry and Mourne hearts fit and healthy Northern Ireland School Caterers’ Association (NISCA) and British Heart Foundation (BHF) Northern Ireland have teamed up for the second year running to promote healthy eating in schools while launching the 2015 Wear it. Beat it. campaign across the country.

BHF Northern Ireland and NISCA are calling on all 73 schools as well as local businesses, groups and organisations in Newry and Mourne to join the fight for every heartbeat by wearing red and hosting an event on 6th February to help raise funds for lifesaving research.

While the event is on 6th February, everyone is encouraged to fundraise on any day of the month.

Building on the strength of last year’s successful fundraising campaign, in which over 60 schools took part, a staggering £20,000 was raised. This is the equivalent of funding 4 specialist nurses for 28 days, changing the lives of around 680 heart failure sufferers.

Angela Henry, the principal of Newtownhamilton Primary School, explains why his school will be taking part. “We will be supporting BHF Northern Ireland again this year by wearing red and hosting an event on 6th February. It’s great fun for the kids as they can get creative and have fun with the colour red.

“BHF Northern Ireland raises much needed awareness of heart health in this community and this is why we’re happy to be backing them and all the good work that they do,” Angela adds.

Speaking about the partnership, NISCA Spokesperson, Irene Clarke, said, “Good nutrition is essential for children to grow properly, do their best in school and be healthy and happy in the future.

“NISCA provide an opportunity for schools and school caterers to work together on events like Wear it. Beat it. to help pupils across Northern Ireland make healthier choices about food and learn these important health messages.”

Wear it. Beat it. this February to raise funds for the BHF’s life-saving research. Get your free Wear it. Beat it. fundraising kit now at bhf.org.uk/red or call 0300 330 06450.

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Posted by Newry Times News on Jan 12 2015. Filed under Community, What's On. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry