Healthy Hearts Day (HHD) took place on Sunday 12th March at Beau Sejour Leisure Centre and provided the community with the opportunity to speak to Health Professionals, have free health checks, lifestyle advice, defibrillator familiarisation sessions and taster activities. Gerry Le Roy, Cardiac Action Group HHD organiser said, “early defibrillation can save a life. The aim of our competition was to raise awareness about the location of the thirty five PAD sites in Guernsey and the two in Herm. A defibrillator can save lives by analysing the heart rhythm and administering an electric shock, if necessary, to restore a normal heart rhythm after someone has had a cardiac arrest. ”
Erin Bailey, a year four pupil at Amherst Primary School won the competition as she successfully named the location of six Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) sites on the Island. She has earned herself, alongside her fellow pupils in year four at Amherst Primary, a swimming pool party which will take place at Beau Sejour Leisure Centre in July of this year just before they break up for the summer holidays.
Tracey Moore, Head Teacher at Amherst said, “we are delighted that Erin has won the Swimming Party for her year group. We have lots of excited children who are counting down the days until July 20th. As a Healthy School we recognise the importance of exercise and a balanced diet to maintain a healthy heart. We are very grateful to the Cardiac Action Group for organising the event.”
Shelley Nicholls who presented Erin with the swimming voucher for her year group to enjoy the party said “Healthy Hearts Day is all about making healthy lifestyle choices and here at Beau Sejour Leisure Centre we pride ourselves on being able to offer a very wide range of healthy activities and leisure pursuits. This also includes the new range of healthy food products that is available in our café which are freshly prepared daily on the premises. We hope that the Year 4 pupils from Amherst Primary School enjoy their pool party and it kick starts their summer holidays, and that it motivates them to remain active on a regular basis, both in school and during their leisure time”.