The University of Dundee team is now in training for the annual TICR trek to raise money for the Institute for Cardiovascular Research (TICR). Doctors, nurses and researchers are donning their boots and stocking up with sun cream for the sponsored trek in Pitlochry at the end of August (30-31).
The trek organisers hope that lots of people will take part in the trek both to raise money for TICR and to exercise their own hearts. Professor Jill Belch, from TICR says: "Exercise is one of the best things you can do to ensure a healthy heart. Doctors are encouraging people to take advantage of the summer weather to exercise. Activities like brisk walking increase the heart rate and help prevent heart disease."
MSPs John Swinney, Shona Robison and Kate MacLean will be taking part in the trek this year and are hoping to raise lots of cash for Dundee's heart disease. Kate MacLean said: "I took part in the trek last year and was happy to raise £170 for TICR. Heart disease is one of the big problems facing the health service in Scotland and it is important that research into preventing heart disease is well supported."
The trek will take place in Pitlochry on Saturday 30-Sunday 31 August. The route, a nine mile trek, will start near the Pitlochry power station and follow Loch Faskally up to the Lin of Tummel and Garry Bridge where it will come back down the other side of the Loch. There is a shorter 3 mile alternative route available.
The entry fee is £4 per person and includes parking, entry to the quiz and a chance at a host of prizes for the most worthy effort on the day, the largest sum raised from sponsorship and the most successful quiz entry.
Children are welcome to join the trek. TICR's advice for healthy hearts is to make the trek a family day out in the fresh air. For full details please contact Heather Graham on 01382 344821
Photo caption left to right David Newton, Val Godfrey, Faisel Khan, Emily Smyth, Amelia Rudd, Linda Patterson, Rosie Levison, David Levison.
By Jenny Marra, Head of Press 01382 344910 j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk