Fit for February event offers free drop-in health checks

The Rotary Club of Maidenhead Bridge welcomed more than 100 people to its Fit for February event on Saturday.

Using a unit in the Nicholsons Centre, the Rotary Club teamed up with Diabetes UK, Sport in Mind, the Stroke Association and Berkshire Health Clinic to offer free health checks and advice.

“There was quite a big age range of people who came in – from about 23-80 years old,” said Lisa Hunter, marketing chairman of the club.

“That’s a bigger range than last year. Cholesterol is an issue at any age and the sooner you know about it, the sooner you can take action.”

In the unit, there were two volunteers from the Stroke Association checking blood pressure, two medical professionals offering finger prick blood tests for cholesterol and five people from Diabetes UK offering advice on healthy eating.

In addition, a representative from Sport in Mind offered advice on the benefits of exercise on mental health and six volunteers from Berkshire Health Clinic offered posture checks and neck massages for muscle pain.

Each service was confidential, with one-to-one consultations taking place in private.

“A lot of the people attending our drop-in were already concernedabout their health, but were either to afraid to go to the doctor, or couldn’t face a wait for three weeks and all the anxiety that comes with waiting,” said Lisa.

Of all the visitors to the unit, 50 per cent of people were advised to see their GP about their cholesterol.

Three people were considered at risk of diabetes, while 23 people were advised to talk to their GP about their blood pressure.

One person was advised to speak to their GP about their blood pressure as soon as possible.

This is the sixth year that the Rotary club has hosted its Fit for February event.

As the turnout has increased, the club has decided to host a second event in September.

“Saturday’s event definitely highlights the need for another one,” said Lisa.

“We want to thank Diabetes UK, The Stroke Association, Sport in Mind and the Berkshire Health Clinic. Everyone who helped at the event was very calm and reassuring.”