Fulham FC helps the Well-Being Project promote healthy living

Fulham Football Club international defenders, Moritz Volz and Philippe Christanval, attended the first graduation ceremony of the MEND programme, held at Craven Cottage, the home of Fulham FC recently.

Moritz and Philippe joined Minnie Scott Russell, Mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham, to hand out certificates and activity vouchers to the young people who had successfully completed the nine-week programme.

Fulham FC is the first club to play an active role in MEND, working alongside Staying Put Services' Well-Being Project and North Fulham New Deal for Communities. Fulham's community coaches are providing the exercise sessions to complement the delivery of the nutrition and mind aspects of the programme by the Well-Being Project.

MEND is a fun, effective and practical obesity prevention and treatment programme and stands for Mind, Exercise, Nutrition ...Do it!, which represent the different elements of the programme.

The MEND programme aims to create a lifestyle change in families though an integrated approach, combining all of the elements known to both treat obesity effectively and ensure long lasting results.

The vision of MEND is to provide an effective and medically proven obesity prevention and treatment programme with sustainable long-term results. Fulham FC's aim, through its charitable trust is to make a significant and meaningful impact on the health of young people in its community.

Fulham defender, Moritz Volz, said: "It is important that children are provided with fundamental information and tips on how to lead a healthier lifestyle and the MEND programme, which Fulham's Community Sports Trust has recently been involved in, provides an ideal way of getting this message across to hundreds of local children."

Jane Baxter, Community Dietitian and MEND Programme Manager from Staying Put Services, said: "The first MEND programme in North Fulham has been a real success, with improvements across the group for physical measurements such as body mass index, waist and physical fitness and also psychological measurements including self-esteem and behaviour. Our Fulham Community Sports Coach has established a great rapport with the children and most importantly, makes the sessions fun! I believe this has definitely contributed to the programme's success and I look forward to further developing this partnership with Fulham FC."

The next MEND programme will be commencing in January in North Fulham. Any interested families with children between the ages of 7-13 should call 020 8206 5890 for more information.