Big Bus Offers Health Checks For Ardglass Area

Health and Wellbeing Event Comes to Ardglass

The Downpatrick District Electoral Area (DEA) Forum, in partnership with County Down Rural Community Network and the Ardglass Festival Association (AFA) which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, is offering residents within the Ardglass and the surrounding areas the opportunity to come along and have free basic health checks. Women between the ages of 40-49 and 70+ can also avail of a breast screening service.

At the launch of the Action Cancer Bus visit to Ardglass in The Meadow are DEA Forum Chair, Downpatrick Councillor Oonagh Hanlon; Ardglass Festival Committee members Roisin Dorian and Paul O’Shea; Katrina Hynds, Downpatrick DEA Forum coordinator, Jenny Laverty; County Down Rural Community Network health worker; and Jocelyn O’Shea and Gerry Casey, Festival Committee members.

Every year people strive to become fitter and healthier. Although a good diet and exercise regime is recommended, most people will forget about the importance of checking their own health. These simple checks can show whether someone is heading towards diabetes or suffering from high cholesterol or high blood pressure, and this community event is an opportunity to have all of these checked.

The Action Cancer Big Bus will be in the grounds of The Meadows Playing Fields on Wednesday 7th August 2019. Appointments for either of these services will be available from Wednesday 26 June 2019 from 9am onwards by contacting Action Cancer directly on 028 9080 3344/Option 1 or alternatively online at:www.actioncancer.org/appointments.

The bus health checks are available from 9am to 3.45pm and the fun activities are from 12-3pm.

Downpatrick DEA Chairperson Councillor Oonagh Hanlon said: “Through the partnership working of all these agencies and the Ardglass Festival Committee, residents of Ardglass are being given the opportunity to take steps to help improve their health. With a wide range of fun and health activities, residents can experience alternative sporting opportunities and, at the same time, monitor their existing health and wellbeing.”

The Downpatrick DEA is encouraging everyone to come along and get involved in a range of free activities suitable for people of all ages.

There will be a climbing wall, mountain biking and archery for the young and there will be taster sessions of Step, Zumba and Yogalates for adults. The Education Authority will also be attending on the day to design a mural with the young people that can be displayed within the village. Following on with the sports theme, the AFA will be hosting their first 10k and 5k road race beginning at 7pm from St Nicholas’ Primary School. Entries are available through: www.sientries.co.uk

If you require any further information on any of the Downpatrick DEA initiatives, please contact Katrina Hynds on 078 0383 2512 or:katrina.hynds@nmandd.org