Tennis, bowling, boxing, Wii are having a ball!

FUN and games . . . from left, Pat McGuigan, Liz Bell, Specsavers optical assistant, Doreen Seymour, Isabella McKenna and Sybil Hague try their hand at the latest game

Scroll down for Video

ELDERLY folk in Royton will be a “wii” bit sportier and healthier thanks to a far-sighted donation.

For a local opticians has given a Nintendo Wii to residents at Tandle Hill Court so they can have a fun new way to keep in shape and on the ball.

Specsavers, in Royton’s Market Square, provided the sheltered housing scheme with the games console following a request from its female residents for the popular Wii sports game.

Director Rod Fullalove said: “I’d heard that a new snooker table had just been installed in Tandle View’s recreation area and that the female residents would quite like something to entertain them whilst the men enjoyed their games of snooker.

“When one resident suggested a Wii Sports game, the team here at the store were only too happy to pool together and donate one to the residents.

“I think it’s a fantastic idea and the residents are really enjoying trying activities like virtual bowling and tennis.”

The game allows residents to create virtual personalities and try their hands at anything from boxing to golf. Kath Miller, operations manager at Housing 21, which looks after Tandle View Court on behalf of Oldham Council, said: “I cannot thank Specsavers in Royton enough for providing this equipment.

“A key aim of our service is to encourage tenants to take part in activities they can enjoy and improve their fitness. I have seen first hand our tenants ten pin bowling using the Nintendo Wii and can say they thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Tenant Doreen Seymour said: “It’s brilliant and gets people moving. We have tried all the games and never had so much fun.”

Fellow tenant Ivy Taylor added: “It’s good exercise and everyone can have a good laugh.”

Students on the digital journalism course at University Centre Oldham recently filmed pensioners exercising with the Wii. Take a look at their video on the right!
If you want to learn more about the course click here