Eye to the main chance, Fair City’s Bob Charles played by Bryan Murray, knows a good deal for his heart when he sees one which is why he was first in line to launch the Irish Heart Foundation’s Big Heart Walks happening on 30 September. The on-screen opportunist was at the heart of the action as he lined out with fellow Carrigstown locals Neasa Dillon (played by Aoibheann Garrihy) and Dermot Fahey (played by Seamus Power) ready for a brisk walk on the grounds of RTE in between rehearsals for Ireland’s top soap.
The Big Heart Walks celebrating World Heart Day, is the BIGGEST countrywide walking event of the year with more than 10,000 people of all ages expected to take part. With the support of the Fair City cast, the national charity fighting heart disease and stroke is urging families, communities and groups to organise a 5k Big Heart Walk where they liveand raise €1 for every kilometre walked to help turn 50,000km into €50,000.
Fair City actor Bryan Murray said: “The Irish Heart Foundation has the right idea about walking – it’s one of my favourite things to do. You can’t beat that invigorating feeling – breathing in fresh air, feeling your muscles working and enjoying time to think or have a decent conversation. Walking by the sea is a particular favourite of mine and that’s where you’ll find me on 30 September… with the wind in my face and comfortable walking shoes on my feet, strutting my stuff.”
And Bryan Murray wasn’t the only Fair City actor taking a welcome break from rehearsals to get his heart pumping. Ireland’s favourite soap stars embraced the chance to get their 30 minutes of physical activity as a warm up to the Big Heart Walks on 30 September. Familiar faces included Vivienne Connolly (who plays Ingrid Gleeson), Ciara O’Callaghan (who plays Yvonne Doyle), Catherine Byrne (who plays Judith Dillon), Una Crawford O’Brien (who plays Renee Phelan), Annette Flynn (who plays Maeve McIlhinney) and Liam Heffernan (who plays Luke Dillon).
Aideen Lynch, Irish Heart Foundation Big Heart Walks co-ordinator said: “September is a great time of the year to kick-start you and your family into physical activity. At the Irish Heart Foundation, we know that many adults and families struggle to fit exercise into their week. But the great thing about walking is that anyone can do it, adults only need 30 minutes a day at a brisk pace and it’s free! Our Big Heart Walks make a great day out for all ages so why not join or organise a walk near you? If every one of our 10,000 Big Heart walkers raised €1 for every kilometre they walk, you could help raise €50,000 for our charity. Call me now on 01 6685001 for your organise a walk pack.”
The Irish Heart Foundation is calling on walkers nationwide to help the charity turn 50,000km into €50,000 by taking part in 5k Big Heart Walks where they live and raising €1 for every kilometre they walk. All who register walks will receive an organiser pack including: tshirts, heart balloons, information sheets on walking, posters, sponsorship cards and buckets. The first 25 organisers to register a walk will also receive a FREE high-vis vest.
Register your Big Heart Walk today on www.irishheart.ie/bigheartwalks