Three-time grand slam champion Andy Murray has announced a new partnership with The National Health Service (NHS) to encourage more people to get active.
During what is the 70th anniversary of the NHS, Murray will travel around the UK to promote a healthy lifestyle. Explaining what the benefits are of being active to members of the public. The goal is to ease the pressure on the NHS. The Scottish government estimates that 30,000 deaths each year are due to obesity-related causes.
“I am a huge supporter of the NHS, but we all know it is under pressure. If we can increase levels of activity as a nation, it helps improve mood, self-esteem and energy, but it will also reduce the strain on the NHS by keeping us healthier.” Said Murray.
“It’s especially important to instil these habits early and support and inspire young people to maintain them as they go through their teenage years.”
One of the first campaigns Murray has lent his backing behind is the Daily Mile. An initiative that was set up at a Scottish school in 2012 that aims to improve the mental, emotional, physical and social health of children. Their aim is to get school children out of the classroom for 15 minutes each day to either run or jog at their own pace. Murray will support the foundation across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“I am proud to be supporting The Daily Mile. It is a simple initiative which benefits children’s physical and mental health along with their well-being.” He said.
Elaine Wyllie is the founder of The Daily Mile. She believes the appointment of Murray as an ambassador for the foundation will have a positive impact on its popularity. There are over 2500 schools that have signed up to the scheme across England, Scotland and Wales since it was launched.
“It is wonderful that Andy Murray has chosen to be an ambassador for The Daily Mile Foundation. To have Andy on board highlights the positive impact The Daily Mile is having across the UK. He is a fantastic sporting role model for the children of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.” Said Wyllie.
“We are confident that this will inspire more schools across the UK to sign-up to The Daily Mile and experience the transformational health and well-being benefits that The Daily Mile provides.”
Murray is currently playing at the Eastbourne International in what is only his second tournament since undergoing hip surgery. On Monday he scored a straight set win over Stan Wawrinka. He will play Kyle Edmund in the second round on Wednesday.
