Have a ‘hearty lunch’: Lord Mayor backs Heart Research walk

RUNNING SHOES READY: Workers are being called upon to take part in the one mile route on Friday 8th July between 12pm and 2pm

Leeds’ workforce is being called upon to help raise vital funds for charity this July with the first ever Healthy Heart Corporate Walk.

Taking place on 8th July, the project is in aid of Heart research UK and looks to get workers out of their offices and into the streets for a bundle of ‘get fit’ activities.

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Gerry Harper, will open the one-mile walk on the day, before following the route from Park Square, in Leeds City centre, to Filmore and Union, in the Victoria Quarter.

Sports or flat shoes are recommended, especially as there are many activities to enjoy along the route.  This includes retro sports, yoga, Zumba, table tennis and a boxercise session led by former World Light Heavyweight boxing champion Paul ‘Silky’ Jones.  

Cllr Harper said: “The average worker spends around 10 hours of their day sitting, which puts them at increased risk of developing obesity, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.   

“While excessive sitting is not good for our hearts, more than half of workers regularly work through their lunch breaks too.  

“If workers could take the opportunity to take a brisk walk at lunch instead, they will soon feel the benefits.”

The Leeds Healthy Heart Corporate Walk is open to all staff from all business between 12pm and 2pm.  

Companies are being called upon to encourage their staff to take part – even for a short time – as a way of improving fitness and wellbeing in the workplace.

The £2 entry fee, which includes a goody bag, will go to help Heart Research UK in helping hearts near you.

Jodie Thomson, Corporate Fundraiser at Heart Research UK said: “We’re all guilty sometimes of working through our lunch break and the fact is that being continuously inactive is not good for our health.

“Our Corporate Walk is really engaging and interactive with lots to do, see, learn and get involved with.  It’s a great opportunity to make a positive effort to change the sedentary life you may lead at work.   

“By joining us on 8th July you’ll also be helping support our work in the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.”

Heart Research UK is one of the Lord Mayor’s chosen charities this year alongside Epilepsy Action in Yeadon.  

Speaking of the event, he said: “It’s a pleasure to support both of these national charities, based here in Leeds.  

“Both do a lot of work locally, as well as nationally, to improve the lives of people living and working in Leeds.  In addition to raising money, we’re really looking forward to increasing awareness about epilepsy and heart disease.”

To register yourself or your employees for the Heart Research UK Corporate Walk please visit www.heartresearch.org.uk; email corporate@heartresearch.org.uk or call 0113 297 6202.