UHSM has become the first hospital in the North West to be awarded a London 2012 Inspire mark from the organisers of the Olympic and Paralympic Games for the work we are doing to increase the health and well being of our staff and volunteers.
Olympic gold medalist Jonathan Edwards presented Chairman Felicity Goodey with the coveted Mark in recognition of the Trust's Fit for Life Club, a virtual and entrirely free initiative which encourages everyone to get fitter. Activities include regular Tai Chi, cycling, Ju Jitsu and yoga sessions. And for those who'd rather exercise on the move, everyone has been given a pedometer to encourage walking the ten thousand steps our cardiologists say we need to keep our hearts healthy.
More than 600 staff, volunteers, schoolchildren, civic leaders - including local MP Paul Goggins - and members of the North West 2012 Organising Committee witnessed the ceremony from a giant marquee set up in the car park. It means the hospital has been formally recognised for upholding the values of London 2012 and making it an official part of the Games.
UHSM Chairman, Felicity Goodey, said: “The health and well being of our 6,000 staff and volunteers is important to us and our Fit for Life club is certainly making a difference because so many have signed up for the activities on offer which are all free and create a low carbon footprint in line with our status as Britain’s Greenest Hospital. This is a great honour for us to be leading the way for the NHS in the North West.”
Jonathan also meet organisers of the Wythenshawe Games, a unique event - and a first for the North West - which will involve all 70,000 residents and take place shortly before the London 2012 Olympic Games. The event is aimed at improving the health of people living near the hospital, and UHSM is right at the heart of the planning and preparations.
Wythenshawe Games Ambassador and Manchester United legend Denis Irwin said "I am proud to be involved in an initiative which will spread the Olympic dream from Old Trafford, which will host some of the 2012 football events, to the communities in Manchester that matter and where the vision and values of the Olympic and Paralympic movement can make a real difference."