MENDing their ways

SUCCESS . . . The youngsters celebrate completing the MEND programme at Oldham Athletic

A GROUP of youngsters who kicked unhealthy habits into touch have celebrated their success.

A special presentation at Oldham Athletic Football Club was held for the group of seven to 13 year olds who worked hard to complete a 10-week healthy lifestyle programme called MEND (mind, exercise, nutrition, do it!).

The free programme is for local families with children who are above a healthy weight for their age and height and helps them become healthier and more active.

Oldham Athletic Community Trust organised the physical activity sessions.

It invited graduates to Oldham Athletic’s game against Charlton Athletic at Boundary Park on Saturday, where they were presented with certificates of achievement and did a celebratory lap around the pitch at half time.

Some of the participants walked to the ground before the match with mascot Chaddy the Owl.

They will also have the chance to enter a MEND poster designing competition to win a signed football.

Several new courses are due to begin after Easter at venues across Oldham (see above), with activities including climbing wall sessions, cycling, swimming pool games, a supermarket tour and family- based discussions looking at label reading, portion sizes and healthy meal ideas.

Every child who completes one of the programmes will receive 50 per cent off the cost of a football or street cheer session during school holidays, run by Oldham Athletic Community Trust.