Health and wellbeing programme brings together business and community

Tuesday 3rd September 2013: Wicklow Town has been announced as the chosen Pfizer / Irish Times ‘Healthy Town’ 2013. ‘Healthy Town’, a collaboration between The Irish Times, Pfizer Healthcare Ireland and the civic and business community of Wicklow Town will be launched later today to kick-off an 8-week programme of health and wellbeing initiatives. The programme, now in its second year, combines health promotion events, information meetings and physical activity sessions to encourage people in Wicklow Town to improve their health, with all events free of charge.

Key features of the initiative include:

• Free one to one health checks which will be provided by the Irish Heart Foundation checking blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, body mass index, waist measurement and carbon monoxide (for smokers). Heart Health advice will be given on the other risk factors for heart disease, such as smoking, alcohol, physical inactivity, stress and healthy eating. The health checks will be provided through local groups with some open to members of the public.
• Free information meetings, where guest speakers will give talks and demonstrations on areas such as nutrition, healthy eating, parenting, mental health, stress management and health promotion.
• Free nutrition tours in Gallagher’s SuperValu Wicklow town led by the Irish Heart Foundation dietician providing advice and information around nutrition and healthy eating.
• Local sports and fitness activities being organised by local sports groups and organisations.

“I am thrilled that Wicklow has been chosen to be this year’s Healthy Town as we believe it’s a wonderful initiative to get the whole town thinking about their health,” said Cllr Malcolm Earls, Mayor of Wicklow Town. “I am very excited about all the activities that are planned in the town over the next 8 weeks, and I would encourage the people of Wicklow to show support and participate in the programme as much as they can to help improve our town’s health.”

Sports star and Wicklow native Leo Cullen is also lending his support to the initiative. “As a Wicklow man, I think this is a great way to get people interested in their health and wellbeing and I’m delighted to support the programme. I’ll be getting involved in a few of the activities myself, and look forward to seeing some old friends and faces over the coming weeks as part of ‘Healthy Town’.”

A dedicated microsite has been developed for Healthy Town and can be viewed at www.irishtimes.com/healthytown. The site will be regularly updated with details of all the local events and activities taking place in Wicklow Town during September and October.

Also commenting, Kevin O’Sullivan, Editor of The Irish Times said: “Wicklow Town was chosen as this years ‘Healthy Town’ as it’s a great place to work, live and play. This programme sees us partnering with some great organisations to educate, inform and encourage people to improve their health and wellbeing. The Irish Times will feature ‘Healthy Town’ events and activities in our weekly health supplement, Health + Family.”

Paul Reid, Managing Director of Pfizer Healthcare Ireland said: “Pfizer is proud to support Healthy Town as it underscores our ethos of ‘working together towards a healthier world’. Everybody is familiar with the ever-increasing health problems such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease but we can take steps to reduce our risk of ill health and illness. ‘Healthy Town’ is a great example of how groups and organisations can join forces to improve the health and wellbeing of a community and we’re looking forward to another great programme this year.”

For more information please visit www.irishtimes.com/healthytown

Published: 3rd September 2013.

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