South Dublin County Council encouraged to take Healthy Steps!

Virtual Sl Na Slinte route will put Belgard on the path to health.

Sl 2, an Irish Heart Foundation initiative, designed to promote exercise from within the workplace was launched at South Dublin County Council today, Thursday, 21^st June, by "Mayor Cllr Eamonn Maloney

Sl 2 complements the existing Sl Na Slinte (Path to Health) which was developed in 1996 by the Irish Heart Foundation and now boasts over 150 walking routes around Ireland. Sl encourages people to walk for pleasure and good health. This second phase involves the creation of Virtual Sl routes and motivational signs, which point out the time and distance to popular destinations outside the workplace; all routes and destinations can be completed in less than an hour.

South Dublin County Council has worked with the Irish Heart Foundation to develop a 3.7Km Virtual Sl Route around the surrounding Belgard area, which can be used by both South Dublin County Council staff and the public.

Other organisations to come on board include: RTE, Independent Newspapers, Iarnrod Eireann, Hertz Ireland, Intel, Waterford IT, Dept of the Environment, the Department of Health and Children and all DART stations.

Ireland has the highest rate of death from heart disease in Europe. Every year approximately 12,000 people die from heart attack, stroke and other diseases of the circulation. This represents almost 41% of all deaths within the overall population. Physical activity reduces the risk for several chronic illnesses including heart disease.

Through Sl 2, The Irish Heart Foundation hopes to encourage the corporate and state sectors, all national, voluntary and community organisations to collaborate under the Sl flag and hearten the public to be more physically active.

Tanya Comber-Rait, National Coordinator of Sl na Slinte at the Irish Heart Foundation speaking at the launch said: There is no downside to Sl 2. Its a simple, inexpensive and unobtrusive way of playing a part in promoting a healthier lifestyle. Weve received an overwhelming response from all sectors to date and would be happy to team up with everybody in the workplace

Anyone interested in implementing Sli 2 in their workplace, please contact the Irish Heart Foundation on 01 6685001.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Tanya Comber-Rait, National Coordinator, Irish Heart Foundation on 01 6685001

www.irishheart.ie