Minister for Public Health backs Olympians campaign to combat child obesity in the Congleton Constituency
On Tuesday 16th April Fiona Bruce MP attended the launch of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Obesity with Robbie Brightwell and Ann Packer, Olympic silver and gold medallists, who have launched the ‘Twin Assassins Campaign’ which is aiming to raise £3 million to develop the facilities at Eaton Bank Academy as a lifestyle centre for the community.
During the London 2012 Olympic Games celebrations in the Congleton Constituency the President and Vice-President of Team Congleton (Ann Packer and Robbie Brightwell) were drawn to the disturbing levels of obesity and physical fitness within the community and are now the biggest threat to the health of the younger generation.
Speaking at the launch of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Obesity, The Rt Hon Anna Soubry, Minister for Public Health enthused:
"Obesity in children for me is at the top of my priorities. I am therefore very keen to support Ann and Robbie’s excellent campaign - it is exactly in tune with what the Government and I are seeking to do to fight the critical level of child obesity in this country.”
Fiona Bruce commented:
“Having invited Ann and Robbie to Parliament in support of their inspirational Twin Assassins campaign, I was delighted at the Health Minister’s interest and positive response – to the extent that she invited Ann and Robbie to return to Westminster for a meeting with her specifically to discuss their campaign further. With 1.3 million children across the country now classed as obese, Robbie and Anna have really hit the mark with this campaign which I hope the whole Congleton community will get behind.”
Ann Packer, a Gold medallist at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 commented:
“We are delighted to have the support of Fiona Bruce in tackling the obesity crisis. She is passionately committed to the health and well-being of her Congleton constituents’, and her energetic involvement in our campaign is deeply appreciated. It is especially rewarding that she recognises the need to provide the best possible facilities for our schools in order that they may be enjoyed by pupils and community alike.”
Robbie Brightwell, a Silver medallist at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 commented:
“Obesity and poor physical fitness levels caused a multitude of maladies and medical complications – notably diabetes, heart disease, cancer and respiratory problems. Unless radical measures are taken to remedy this situation, the NHS will be brought to its knees in 10 years’ time. It is particularly urgent to address the problem in our schools. Once anti-obesity lifestyle measures are imbedded in these institutions, they can spread their informed message to other members of the community.”
