NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s cardiac rehabilitation patients proved that there is life after suffering a cardiac event at the recent Commonwealth Legacy celebration held at the Ayrshire Athletic Arena.

More than 80 patients, carers and staff attended the event and took part in tribal dance, boxing, tai chi, bowling and marathon walking – covering the distance of more than two and a half marathons between them. Some of the cardiac rehabilitation patients who came along had experienced heart problems just four weeks before, while others had suffered heart events more than 20 years ago and have been exercising ever since.

East Ayrshire’s Provost, Jim Todd, officially opened the event and joined participants to show how physical activity can be fun as well as being good for you.

Janet McKay, Consultant Cardiac Nurse, said: “On behalf of the cardiac rehabilitation team, I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came along and made the event such a success. We have received great support from our partner organisations in East, North and South Ayrshire, as well as our patients and their families. I’d also like to say a special thanks to ASDA for providing refreshments, Georgie who competed in the Commonwealth ladies weightlifting event and to David, one of the ‘Clydesiders’”.

“The main message we wanted people to take from the day is that the lack of physical activity is a key risk factor in heart events - but also that keeping fit doesn’t have to be boring and mundane. There are lots of different physical activities out there for people to try and we’d really encourage people to find something they enjoy and can have fun taking part in.” Provost Jim Todd said: "I was delighted to attend the cardiac rehab Games at Kilmarnock's state of the art Ayrshire Athletics Arena. The partnership event, which was supported by the Council's Vibrant Communities team, was action packed and full of fun.

"Legacy is important to East Ayrshire and the Council has invested significantly in the provision of modern facilities which are suitable for the top athletes of today and will help to create the top athletes of tomorrow.

"Before the Commonwealth Games I had the honour of welcoming Team Scotland, Team Ghana and Team Canada to East Ayrshire for their pre-Games training camps. I watched our young people become enthused about sport and this can only benefit future generations. The importance of sport and the health benefits associated with activity should never be underestimated and this is something our Council is fully committed to supporting and encouraging."

Donations were made on the day for Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland and Ayrshire Sportability.