Guinness helps youngster to enjoy the fruits of their labour

Guinness Northern Counties has launched a 10-week healthy living project for eight to 16 year olds on the Newbold estate in Rochdale.

The free workshops began on Monday 1 March at the Community House at Laurel Court, Newbold, with a fruit tasting and smoothimaking session. The young people were able to sample a variety of fruits before choosing their favourites to make their own smoothies.

A further nine consecutive workshops will cover other aspects of healthy living, including cookery classes, exercise sessions, planting and growing their own vegetables and community clean-ups.

Local rugby star Michael Ostick, from Hornets Rugby League Club made a surprise appearance at the first session. The Hornets are involved in training sessions to encourage local youngsters to take part in sports, and to give an insight into how professional sports stars can benefit from eating healthy.

Rochdale Township Youth Fund provided £4,000 of funding for the project, whilst Guinness Northern Counties and Rochdale Council play development team are providing facilities and staff. Adam Bates, Guinness Northern Counties young people’s co-ordinator has organised the sessions and will run each one between 4pm and 6pm every Monday and Wednesday.

At the launch, Bates said: “The young people in Newbold have been looking forward to this project, it is them that came up with the idea of running a project that focuses on healthy living, and the environment that they live in. The response from the local youngsters has been so good that we have had to run two sessions per week.”