Heart-lepool marches against heart disease

Oddfellows in Hartlepool take to the prom for a Sunday stroll to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.

Keeping active can change your life, even 10 minutes of exercise a day can make you healthier – and the Oddfellows friendly society based in Hartlepool took up the challenge on the promenade on Sunday 4 June with a healthy heart walk to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

The community walk against heart disease took the group from Newburn Bridge Car Park off Coronation Drive to Seaton Carew Promenade, stopping in at the marina for refreshments.

Along with members of the public, three generations of Oddfellows members took part in the BHF Wear it, Beat it event, with children, parents and grandparents sporting red clothing as they joined hands to celebrate healthy living. 

Margaret Wells, Social Organiser for the Oddfellows in Hartlepool, (pictured below, front left), said: “I’d like to thank everyone who came out on the day to stroll the prom and enjoy the sunshine with us for such a worthwhile cause.”Margaret Wells, Oddfellows Social Organiser prepares to start the charity walk.

For over 50 years, the BHF has pioneered research that has transformed the lives of people living with heart and circulatory conditions. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the cause of more than a quarter (26 per cent) of all deaths in the UK with nearly 160,000 deaths each year.

Katherine Stybelski, Fundraising Manager for the BHF said: “The Oddfellows’ activities are always fun and get people out and about to meet with others. We hope this event inspires people to take that all-important 10 minutes of activity each day – it really does make the difference in preventing and managing heart disease.”

Margaret added, “Meeting new people locally, getting more involved in the community through volunteering and fundraising and, most importantly, having reliable people to turn to in good times and bad, is what the Oddfellows is all about.

“We love welcoming new faces, why not give us a try and see how we could bring that extra bit of happiness into your life.
Hands in the air: Nick Hubbard with children Matthew Hubbard (8) and Ava (5).

Based in Hartlepool, the Society’s members regularly get together to enjoy social events such as talks and trips out, lunches, monthly walks and coffee mornings. The next event is a two-course meal with friends on Tuesday 6 June at the Marine Hotel in Seaton Carew at 12 noon.

As part of its healthy heart programme, the Oddfellows is offering a free activity tracker to anyone becoming a member of the Society in June to promote the importance of keeping fit on the go. 

To find out more about the Oddfellows Cleveland and Durham, contact Margaret on 01429 599 323 or Phyllis on 01429 598 596 or email david.smith@oddfellows.co.uk.