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Grants to help pensioners keep-fit
11.12.07
GROUPS in Inishowen
have been awarded grants of around €500 to help them
encourage older men and women to do more exercise.
Clonmany Mental Health Association; Carndonagh
Active Retirement Association; Newtowncunningham Day
Centre and St. Johnston and Carrigans Seniors
Bowling Club have received €500, €525, €550 and €500
respectively from the Department of Sports and
Tourism. |
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The funding was
welcomed yesterday by Fianna Fáil TD, Deputy Niall
Blaney, who said every effort should be made to
encourage older people to keep active. He said
exercise contributed to better physical health and
longer life expectancy.
“Twenty three groups in Donegal will receive in the
region of €500 which will be used to provide
opportunities for older people to take part in
sporting activities,” said Deputy Blaney.
“Research has shown that more than half of older
people are classified as having a sedentary
lifestyle and the Government is committed |
to providing more
opportunities for them to take part in physical
activities.”
Deputy Blaney said the funding would give local
groups the "practical supports" needed to provide
older people choice and flexibility in the type of
activities they want to do.
“It is also about getting across the message that
the ageing challenge is about opportunity and much
greater life expectancy that our parents or
grandparents could ever have dreamed of,” added
Deputy Blaney. |
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