Fit as a Fiddle
The World Cup may be a distant (and painful) memory for most England fans but Havering Age Concern kept the dream alive and kicking for its footie mad pensioners with a special visit from 1966 right back legend, George Cohen.
George dropped by the YMCA in Romford to launch a day of health sessions and activities aimed at keeping the older men of Havering fit and healthy.
George, who has beaten bowel cancer, spoke for an hour about his own experience of ill health and stressed the importance staying active and overcoming that male reluctance to go to the doctor for regular checkups.
His wise words did the trick as the lively bunch took the opportunity to visit the different stands to get their blood pressure checked, listen to advice on how to quit smoking and try the different activities on offer, from a local group ramble to golf lessons and Wii fit games.
The project is part of Age UK’s Fit as a Fiddle project. Funded with a £15 million grant from BIG’s Well-being programme this national campaign is ensuring older people have access to suitable activities to keep their minds and bodies in tip top shape.
The day finished with a screening of the story of the lost world cup and a nostalgic reflection on the glory days of football. To be fair to Fabio’s boys, they had just beaten Switzerland in the Euro qualifiers the night before so maybe that dream is still alive.
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