A SCHEME which aims to get Barnsley men fit through football has been nominated for a government award.
Michael Dugher, MP for Barnsley East, has nominated the Fit Reds programme in the Public Health Hero competition, which is organised by the Department for Health.
Fit Reds offers men aged 35 and over the opportunity to take part in an eight-week football fitness course. Participants are also offered access to a gym as well as diet and nutrition sessions to help reduce the high levels of cardiovascular disease in Barnsley.
The programme has proved such a success plans have been put in place to offer courses to women this year.
Mr Dugher said: "I am very pleased to nominate Fit Reds for the Public Health Hero awards following their excellent work in the community in Barnsley.
"Their outreach work has been truly phenomenal and deserves public recognition. Life expectancies in Barnsley are depressed below the national average which is a problem of great concern."
