Archive Council News

This page is a news release published by Wrexham County Borough Council.
Content Author: pressoffice@wrexham.gov.uk

08 July 2010

Crusaders lend backing to MEND

Crusaders RL are backing a project aimed at encouraging children and their families to stay healthy.

Star players Lincoln Withers and Nick Youngquest visited Wrexham County Borough Council’s Sports Development department to find out more about the scheme.

The MEND Programme in Wrexham is part of a national network of over 300 courses that have already helped over 10,000 families improve their diets and activity levels. A limited number of places valued at up to £400 are available on the course at Clywedog Sport & Activity Centre completely free of charge thanks to Wrexham County Borough Council who are working in partnership with The Welsh Assembly Government.

The MEND - Mind, Exercise, Nutrition...Do it! - Programme is made up of two-hour sessions held twice a week for 10 weeks, where practical lessons on eating and exercise habits aim to improve children’s fitness, physical activity levels, nutrition and self-esteem.

Rather than focusing on weight loss, the MEND Programme takes the approach of teaching children and parents Weight Management skills. This includes inspiring families to adopt a healthier lifestyle and enjoy preparing and eating healthy foods, as well as reading food labels and healthy shopping on a budget. There are also simple but exciting sessions developed by the Youth Sport Trust to learn fun ways to exercise – especially for children who are not fans of traditional school sports.

As a reward for completing the most recent 10 week programme, the children and young people on the MEND programme visited the Racecourse to watch the Crusaders play the mighty Warrington Wolves where they got to meet the players and walk round the pitch at half time.

Bethan Hughes, MEND Programme Manager at Wrexham County Borough Council said:

“We’re delighted to have the support of Crusaders and had a fantastic day. Previous families on the course have had a great deal of success and it really changes children’s lives. Children become healthier and fitter and we have seen their self esteem and confidence increase greatly, especially when meeting such fantastic role models as the Crusaders players.”

Parents wishing to check whether their child is a healthy weight or whether they might benefit from the MEND Programme, can visit the MEND web-site www.mendprogramme.org which has a handy Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator.

Places on the MEND Programme are available free for eligible families thanks to Wrexham County Borough Council and The Welsh Assembly Government and are offered on a first come, first served basis.

For more information or to register for the scheme, call the Programme Manager Bethan Hughes on (01978) 292088 or visit: www.mendprogramme.org. A parent or carer must accompany each child to the twice-weekly sessions and places must be booked in advance.

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