ANDOVER schoolchildren are having a healthy heart message delivered to their schools thanks to a new interactive education programme being launched by national charity Heart Research UK.

The charity will be rolling out a year-long programme of visits to primary schools to raise awareness of healthy lifestyles and the importance of diet and exercise as well as maintaining healthy teeth and gums for a healthy heart.

The programme is being funded by local healthcare provider Simplyhealth from an awareness campaign run last year, which donated funds to Heart Research UK for every “like” to its Facebook page.

Heart Research UK has appointed a school speaker co-ordinator, Sharron Bright, to deliver the sessions to children aged between seven and 11 which will tie in with the science and PSHCE curriculum.

Sharron said: “We’re really excited about delivering this programme as it will not only help cover many of the programmes of study that schools deliver, but it will also reinforce the good lifestyle habits that children should pick up at an early age.”

The hour-long sessions will be interactive, with information delivered through activities designed to get the children thinking about the importance of living healthy lifestyles to prevent heart disease.

Clare Lee, spokesperson for Simplyhealth, said: “We are delighted to see that our donation continues to provide Heart Research UK with the ability to educate more people on the importance of gum and heart health.

“We hope that the children of Andover find the sessions enjoyable and pick up some positive life-long habits along the way.”

Any schools interested in hosting a session should contact Sharron Bright on 0113 297 6214 or email schools@heartresearch.

org.uk