REDDITCH-based packaging firm DS Smith and national charity, Heart Research UK teamed up with Wasps Rugby to educate employees about heart health.
Last week DS Smith staff based at Moons Moat played host to Wasps’ star players James Gaskell and Josh Bassett, as well as strength and conditioning coach, Gordon Brett, as they provided inspirational advice to 54 employees on how to convert bad habits and keep hearts healthy.
Employees were also given blood pressure checks as part of the programme.
Almost 200,000 people live with coronary heart disease in the West Midlands, and each year, there are more than 6,300 deaths due to coronary heart disease in the region.
Unhealthy eating and lack of exercise are contributory factors and the event formed part of DS Smith’s commitment to its healthy workplace programme which is supported by Heart Research UK.
Last year, Heart Research UK awarded DS Smith Redditch its prestigious Gold Healthy Heart Mark. As part of a healthy workplace, employees at the site receive regular health checks, free fruit and vegetables, healthy breakfasts and much more.
Chris Dove, managing director of DS Smith Redditch, said: “When we first started working with Heart Research UK in 2014, we quickly identified some areas where we could support our employees in keeping active and maintaining a balanced diet.
“We have come a long way since then and, with a recent intake of new staff, having Wasps on board to help guide the team couldn’t have come at a better time.”
DS Smith has been proud sponsors of Wasps Rugby since the 2013/14 season and Wasps Netball since their creation in 2017.
