Health News ACTIVE 2014 SPECIAL EDITION JUNE/JULY 2014 INSPIRED BY THE GAMES TO LEAD AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE Campaign reaches out across community to make 2014 the year we all get up and go NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has something for “Working with our partners, Active 2014 joined forces with the Evening Times, everyone – whether is demonstrating just how much is available Glasgow Life and sportscotland to it be getting toddlers in this very special Commonwealth Games launch Active 2014 – an ambitious more active or helping year, to help us all get more active and take and high tempo campaign to mark this the older generation that all-important fi rst step. Commonwealth Games year. enjoy the benefi ts of a “This is not about running marathons or As the enthusiasm and excitement builds more active lifestyle. hitting the gym seven days a week. This in the run-up to the 2014 Games the Linda de Caestecker, is about taking small but vital steps to campaign is inspiring people of all ages and NHSGGC Director of increase levels of activity, whether you are backgrounds to become more active and LINDA DE already active or if you are not active at all. CAESTECKER Public Health, said: get involved in great fun events or adopt “There have never been more opportunities “So as the Commonwealth Games athletes personal activity goals. available to Glaswegians to get active – begin their fi nal intensive training to take The Active 2014 campaign is reaching either individually, as part of a community home the gold, I urge you to take that fi rst into schools, workplaces, individual family group or through the support of your step to a more active life and take home homes and communities. It aims to offer employer. your own prize – the prize of better health.” For up to date news and information about NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde visit our website www.nhsggc.org.uk 1 l NEXT PAGE l PREVIOUS PAGE l BACK TO PAGE 1 l CLOSE Health News ACTIVE 2014 SPECIAL EDITION JUNE/JULY 2014 Just yards from the bustle of the city, the Forth and Clyde canal offers peaceful way to get out and about HAPPY STROLL.. BY ANGELA McMANUS this WE’RE PROUD TO HELP intrepid AS a heron lands on the bank and tucks band of in its wings, a hush descends on the MAKE A DIFFERENCE walkers opposite side of the canal. Apart from THE Evening Times has campaigned for many enjoy the the sound of other birds singing, the years to help improve the health of Glasgow’s delights only noise is the clicking of cameras. citizens. of the we are delighted to be working in partnership On a sunny spring morning, a group of Forth and with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow about 20, mainly pensioners, have been Clyde Life and sportscotland on the walking along the towpath of the Forth and canal. Active 2014 campaign which Clyde Canal from Lambhill to Maryhill. aims to encourage all of us to Catching sight of the wildlife on the water is make small lifestyle changes just one of the highlights. which can hugely benefi t health It is so quiet here you’d never imagine in the long and short term. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE Not everyone is going to run marathons or pump iron, but doing things like taking the stairs at work instead of the lift or walking to the shops can still make a difference. TAKING Glasgow also has some incredible facilities available from top class gyms to world class swimming pools. we want to encourage the public to make use of these premises which are on their doorsteps. A wALK working together we can make Glasgow healthier than ever and have a bit of fun along the way. TONY CARLIN - EVENING TIMES EDITOR ON THE wILD SIDE 2 l NEXT PAGE l PREVIOUS PAGE l BACK TO PAGE 1 l CLOSE Health News ACTIVE 2014 SPECIAL EDITION JUNE/JULY 2014 CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE always have a good laugh.” that we are in the middle of the city. To fi nd out more about walking Just a few hundred yards away, cars and routes along the canal, visit www. lorries thunder by on Balmore Road but scottishcanals.co.uk. down here it is another world: butter- Lambhill Stables has also produced coloured daffodils dance in the morning booklets highlighting heritage-focused breeze and the sun sparkles on the water. walking routes. The group meets every Friday for these Ronnie Ritchie and his wife Martha, one-hour walks along the banks of the originally from South Africa and now living canal, and the benefi ts are obvious. in Milton, have found the group is a great “It’s good to get out in the fresh air. We way to get to know Glasgow. are out in all weathers but we’ve been Martha says: “Walking is good for the lucky, the weather has never been too mind and the soul and gives you the bad,” says Rebecca Lavery, who leads chance to meet new people. A friend the walk with John Reilly. “The walks are who goes to the same choir, and the great for your health and most people same gym, told me about this group, come out for the company too.” so I started coming with her. Now I’ve The group gathers at Lambhill Stables, dragged my husband along with me too next to the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Possil and he enjoys it as well.” Marsh wildlife reserve, and heads off on The ethos of the walking group fi ts different routes along the canal for a one- perfectly with the Evening Times year- hour walk every week. long campaign to improve the health of “We started a few years ago and it Scots in the year of the Commonwealth has been going strong ever since,” adds Games and build a lasting legacy of Rebecca, from Lambhill. “Today we’re wellbeing. walking along the canal to Maryhill, The message of this campaign is that passing Ruchill golf course. Sometimes we even the smallest of changes in lifestyle see the swans and other wildlife along the can make a huge improvement in health. way.” “Whether you are tackling them by the bank are the only reminders we’re so be good for me. I feel so much better To help local people get healthy, boot or bike, the towpaths of Scotland’s close to a residential area. after being out in the fresh air.” Scottish Canals has been working with canals offer a fantastic venue for leisure Glasgow City Council and invested Anne Gray, from Lambhill, has brought She is in step with Sheena McCafferty, and exercise,” agrees Alasdair Smart, £750,000 in the 35 miles of towpath along Macey, her daughter’s dog on from Cadder, who only started walking Lowlands waterway manager for Scottish network, increasing visitors by 15%. today’s walk. “I’ve not been coming on with the group recently. Canals. As we make our way along the northern the walks for long, just for the past few She said: “I read about the walks and “With the Commonwealth Games edge of the canal, snaking through months,” she says. “I came down myself just wanted to get out and meet people. coming to the city, there couldn’t be a Lambhill, cyclists and joggers pass by. The one day and thought I’d give it a go. I’ve I thought for health reasons the walks better time for the people of Glasgow to estate of new houses on one side and a had health issues, I’ve got problems with would be good too. I enjoy the company, take some simple and easy steps to get towering electricity pylon on our side of my breathing, and I thought this would the fresh air and meeting everyone. We active.” 3 l NEXT PAGE l PREVIOUS PAGE l BACK TO PAGE 1 l CLOSE Health News ACTIVE 2014 SPECIAL EDITION JUNE/JULY 2014 Need some inspiration to get fi t and healthy? Dougie Johnston is just the man. The 59-year-old has recovered after suffering a double heart bypass last May. A year after life-saving surgery, Dougie is THE EYES OF THE WORLD now fi ghting fi t and puts his renewed health and fi tness ARE ON GLASGOW 2014 down to his love of swimming and walking. Since the operation THE Commonwealth Games are almost he has swum the equivalent of a upon us and the excitement is really 26.5 mile marathon and walked building in Glasgow and indeed across 440 miles. TAKING THE PLUNGE... Dougie Johnston. Scotland. The eyes of the world will be on the city as the very best of athletes The East Kilbride man’s provide inspiration to millions. remarkable recovery featured in the Evening Times in April DOUGIE SwIMS Inspiring people to lead more active, as part of our Active 2014 healthy lives has been a priority for campaign. The success story Glasgow Life since the charity was also coincided with the launch formed in 2007. we have made great BACK TO FITNESS of a free swim offer at Glasgow progress, reaching out to all sections of Club pools throughout April lose weight and improve my a husband on the way back to the community, and the Active 2014 campaign has helped for every Evening Times overall health. I was fi ne for good health. us build on our success. Continuing to work in partnership reader.