LORELY BURT MP BACKS HEART CAMPAIGN AND URGES OVER 50s TO "GET PHYSICAL"

1.49.41pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 30th Apr 2007

Lorely Burt MP today backed a British Heart Foundation (BHF) poster campaign urging people over 50 to be physically active for the sake of their health.

The MP for Solihull gave the thumbs up to the heart charity's 30 a Day campaign, after hearing the facts laid bare by BHF at a House of Commons event. BHF statistics reveal someone in the UK dies every 15 minutes as a direct result of physical inactivity, so Lorely Burt is encouraging adults in her area to be active for 30 minutes every day (1).

Lorely Burt says: "This is a fun campaign with an important message. Get physical, have fun and protect your future health. There are lots of ways to get your 30 a Day, but ones that you enjoy and can fit into every day life are likely to be the winners - be it gardening, walking the dog or a bit of a dance."

Just 30% of people over 50 in the UK get their 30 a Day (2), but the benefits are massive. It can halve your risk of heart disease and many other illnesses, setting people up for a healthy, independent later life (3).

A YouGov poll for the BHF's campaign shows that people give a range of explanations for their inactivity. Money was the top reason, with more than one in three people in the UK saying they would do more exercise if activities were cheaper (4).

Len Almond, Senior Advisor at the BHF's National Centre for Physical Activity and Health explains: "Getting fit doesn't have to mean sweating it out at an expensive gym - we can get our 30 a Day in all sorts of free and every-day ways. Things like vacuum cleaning or walking to the local shops are great ways to fit exercise in to our busy daily lives. Remember, 30 minutes exercise is only 2 per cent of your day."

At the House of Commons event, Lorely Burt MP heard experts talk about key statistics and the importance of physical activity in our ageing population.

The MPs also heard BHF call more specifically on:

o Government to run campaigns to get over 50s active

o Doctors to routinely refer patients to physical activity programmes

o Local authorities to build safe and 'walkable' towns

o Businesses to invest in activity schemes for older staff

o Fitness industry and sports clubs to run sessions for over 50s

People are urged to visit the campaign website, bhf.org.uk/30aday for practical, fun ways to be physically active, or to order a free campaign booklet by calling 0808 156 5630.