Things get physical for World Kidney Day

The Stenhousemuir-based charity Kidney Kids is at the forefront of the drive and has already organised a number of exciting events designed to draw attention to the initiative, which has been taking place every year since 2006.

Kidney Kids has teamed up with Falkirk Community Trust for a physical challenge to be held in Camelon’s Mariner Centre, Stenhousemuir Gym and Grangemouth and Bo’ness sports centres on Thursday (March 9).

A Kidney Kids spokesperson said: “They are holding a rowing machine challenge, where people will be encouraged to row for the length of time it would take to burn off a Malteser – which is around 11 calories – or more, of course, if they want to.

“It will take place at all of the centres for the whole day and will be open to gym members and anyone who wants to pop in and have a go.”

The rowing sessions fit in well with this year’s World Kidney Day theme, which is ‘Kidney Disease and Obesity: Healthy Lifestyle for Healthy Kidneys’.

World Kidney Day is a global campaign aimed at raising awareness of the importance of our kidneys and thousands of events take place around the world to get information out to people about preventive behaviours, risk factors, and how to live with a kidney disease.

Kidney Kids, which also does its bit when it comes to raising awareness raising, has already been involved in a number of events in the run up to the big day, including a dress down day and raffle at Falkirk Council which coined in £555.37, while a cake bake at Falkirk Cineworld brought in £194.60.

Other local businesses and organisations have pledge their support, with Hardies of Larbert selling 100 raffle tickets to customers to help raise funds and displaying the Kidney Kids Scotland Collection Can to highlight the charity.

Forth Valley College students will be setting up stalls at the college’s Healthy Body Healthy Mind events to highlight kidney health and to help promote World Kidney Day and Marshalls Bakers are selling Kidney Kids Scotland cakes again this year for the charity.

Visit www.kidneykids.org.uk for more information.