Chance To Get Health Check and Information

25th April 2013

CAITHNESS Heart Support Group is finalising arrangements for its second public health event on Saturday 27th April in the Norseman hotel, Wick.

Aimed at focusing on some of the various agencies committed to improving people’s health, locally, the event is being held at the Norseman Hotel, Wick, on Saturday, from 10am-4pm. Taking part, are the Caithness Diabetes Group, the Wick Wheezers, and Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland. Medical professionals will be on hand to answer any queries and you can have your blood pressure checked.

A life-saving demonstration and and exercise class will also be featured. Keen to make the event a family affair, face painting and a colouring competition have been organised. Caithness Rugby Club’s development officer, Colin Sangster, recently accepted a £1,300 defibrillator funded by the group.

Mr Sangster said that while he hoped the 'vital' piece of equipment would never have to be used, it was on hand if an emergency, such as the occasion it was used, when former premier footballer Fabrice Muamba took a heart attack a year ago during an FA Cup match with Spurs. The 23-year-old player's heart stopped for 78 minutes, but he survived. Fabrice now works with Hearts and Goals, a year-long campaign that aims to prevent death from sudden cardiac arrests.

The campaign has teamed up with charity, Arrhythmia Alliance, which helps place deribrillators in communities. Caithness Heart Support Group took up the idea and, in addition to funding the rugby club defibrillator are currently processing an application for another such unit, from Caithness Amateur Athletic Club. All funds generated by the group are spent on the financing equipment for GP surgeries and local hospitals. The cash is raised by fundraising events and donations. The group also acts as a social forum for people with heart conditions.

Get along to the Norseman on Saturday 27th April (10.00am - 4.00pm) to find out more and get checked and get information.

Noel Donaldson

PHOTO
Caithness Rugby Club's development officer, Colin Sangster (centre) accepts a defibrillator from Caithness Heart Support Group. Also pictured are Joyce Macdonald and Robin More, extreme left and Laird Sutherland and Janette Sinclair, right.