HUNDREDS of people turned out to the Evening Mail’s first health fair, organised as part of the Love Your Life, Live Your Life campaign.
The main hall of the Forum in Barrow was bustling with people of all ages, shapes and sizes.
They were surrounded by a host of stalls designed to open Furness people’s eyes to just how much is on offer in the area.
Sometimes it is the first step towards lifestyle change which is the most difficult, whether stepping on the scales, crossing the gym entrance or clearing out fatty foods from a cupboard.
But the health fair, held on Saturday and masterminded by the Evening Mail, Barrow Borough Council, Park Leisure Centre and NHS Cumbria, aimed to eradicate those feelings of anxiety and give people the kick-start they needed.
From stands advertising weight loss programmes such as Weight Watchers, the Rosemary Conley Diet and the Fitness Club in Ulverston, to leisure centres and gyms showcasing their facilities, or athletic displays from Barrow-based fitness class Cumbria Pole Art, there was something for everyone. The fair also offered people the chance to get an idea of their state of health.
Parish nurse Ruth McDonald carried out free blood pressure checks throughout the day and an NHS Cumbria stand gave people the opportunity to find out their body mass index.
Dr Arabella Onslow, from Kirkby, who shed 10 stone and dropped seven dress sizes through Rosemary Conley, acted as a weight-loss advocate on the day.
She said: “This event is great because it isn’t just about weight loss, it’s about well-being, and everybody has something they can do a bit better. It’s about finding out how to improve something in a way which is relevant to you.”
Kim Rushton, a 22-year-old member of Cumbria Pole Art’s classes, showed off the skills she has acquired since joining a year ago.
She said: “It’s been great, we’ve had people of all ages giving it a try.
“It’s good to be able to show the fitness side of things because there is stigma surrounding pole dancing, but this is a very athletic class.”
Wendie Thompson, of Milton Street, Barrow, brought along her 12-year-old daughter, Rebecca, after the pair made a pact to get healthy together. Mrs Thompson has struggled with weight and health problems since battling cancer.
The 42-year-old said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by all the information there is, there are things going on in the Barrow area we did not know about.
“Everyone has been so friendly. When you talk to the people manning the stalls, you don’t feel like you’re being judged.
“The cancer has been a factor in my health, I am still suffering from it, but I said I was going to get healthy in the new year.
“I feel like that’s started today.”
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