Hockey coach heads to school to spread healthy heart message (From Darlington and Stockton Times)
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Hockey coach heads to school to spread healthy heart message
5:28pm Tuesday 12th March 2013 in News
A HOCKEY coach from the US paid a surprise visit to a local school to spread the Healthy Heart message.
Middlesbrough-born Michelle Simpson took a break from her flourishing career as a hockey coach at the University of Albany and delighted children at Ings Farm Primary School, Redcar, when she arrived on the Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation (MFC) Health Bus.
On board the specially equipped vehicle, the children took part in a series of different fitness tests including flexibility and lung function as well as the X-trainer, rower and bike.
The children also learnt about heart health and the risk factors of heart disease using educational models and activities.
Ms Simpson said: “I think it is great that the MFC Foundation has something like the Health Bus to help to deliver such a positive message to children in the local community.
“With coaching in the US, I am aware of the problems young people face due to poor diets and lack of activity so being able to target children in this way is excellent.”
The Health Bus is part of a region-wide campaign organised by the MFC to raise awareness about the importance of exercise and a good diet, and the dangers and effects of smoking.
The Start Young, Stay Young Project has been running for a year and been a huge success for the MFC foundation. The foundation is well on their way to reaching their target.
