Take heart on Mother's Day
MEDIA RELEASE 12 April, 2011
Take heart on Mother's Day
May 8 this year sees a new event for women in Northland - the Jennian Homes Mother's Day 5k, inspired by and run in conjunction with the Heart Foundation's Go Red for Women campaign.
The fun run / walk will take participants on a circuit around the streets surrounding Whangarei's Kensington Park.
It's timed to take place as the Heart Foundation puts out a red alert that heart disease is the leading killer of New Zealand women. It takes four times as many lives as breast cancer, yet the majority of women do not realise their risk.
Northland's heart health advocate, Rona Mahy-Willis, urges women to spend some time taking care of themselves to make them healthy and strong to care for their families.
"I'm excited about this event," said Mahy-Willis. "For many years, I have been an advocate for women and this fits so well with our programme. Go Red for Women celebrates the energy, passion and power we have as women to band together to beat heart disease."
Jennian Homes is a national supporter of the Heart Foundation. However, it is the local management's added passion for the campaign that has brought about the fun run.
Anyone wanting to assist further is invited to raise funds for the Heart Foundation by visiting heartracer.org.nz and signing up as a Heart Racer. And all women taking part on the day have a chance to win some great spot prizes.
The 5km circuit is designed for all levels of fitness. It will start and finish at the athletics track in Park Ave and, keeping to the footpaths, go twice around the streets surrounding Kensington Park.
The organisers invite families to come and support their mums and partners, bring a packed lunch and spend some time celebrating the achievement of the women in their lives on Mother's Day. A bouncy castle will provide added entertainment for the youngsters.
Anyone not up for the 5k but wanting to be involved can assist with marshalling on the day to ensure the runners and walkers are well supported along the way. Please contact the Heart Foundation to register your availability.
ENDS