Mackay welcomes Age Scotland’s Let’s get moving! Campaign

Age Scotland have launched a new campaign to encourage people to get active.  The campaign, entitled Let’s get moving!, is about encouraging older people to get active by telling the stories of what people, from right across the country do to keep active. To get the ball-rolling, Age Scotland launched the campaign at the Scottish Parliament and asked MSPs to tell us what they do to keep active.

Keith Robson, Head of Charity Services for Age Scotland, commented, “We all know that we could do with getting more exercise, indeed, in a recent survey the charity conducted, we found that only 55% of respondents were getting the recommended minimum of 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a week.”

“Instead of telling people off for not doing exercise, Age Scotland is taking a different approach and telling the stories of what people do to keep active and why.  We’ve heard from 81 year old ladies who can plank for a minute, grandads taking part in Walking Football and hundreds more and by telling these stories, we hope to inspire more people to get moving!”

Renfrewshire North & West MSP Derek Mackay said:

“The benefits of even the simplest activity can never be overstated.  Personally, I really enjoy cycling and know that staying active is not about running marathons, it’s a simple as getting out for a good walk.

“I commend Age Scotland for their campaign and wish them success in helping to get people active.  A reduction in illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure will not only be a benefit to public resources but will also help to improve the quality that people have in later life.”