Ipswich’s Richard Naylor joins Men’s Health Evening

Ipswich Town’s longest serving player, Richard Naylor, will take part in an awareness evening focussing on a number of men’s health issues, which will be held in September at the club’s Portman Road grounds.

The awareness evening aims to raise awareness of osteoporosis, heart disease and testicular and prostate cancers and will feature a panel of health experts and patients who will talk about the prevalence of these very common diseases whilst dispelling the myths that surround each of them.

Matt Byard, the club’s head physiotherapist, will be taking part in a question and answer session alongside Richard Naylor when they will take questions from the floor. Specialist nurse Sonya Stephenson will also take the floor to talk about the importance of healthy bones.

The evening, which will kick off at 6 pm on Thursday 25th September, has been organised by the Ipswich and District Support Group of the National Osteoporosis Society . Osteoporosis is known to affect 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 in the UK but is still incorrectly regarded by many to be a disease that affects only women.

Robert Rees, who was diagnosed with osteoporosis at the age of 43, will share his experiences of the disease and describe how his role as Volunteer Ambassador for the National Osteoporosis Society has helped him to come to terms with osteoporosis.
He said: “Men tend to neglect themselves and are notorious for ignoring health problems; we think ‘it’s never going to happen to me.’ Unfortunately in my case it did. At the age of 43, three of my vertebrae shattered and it changed my life completely.”

Dr Gavin Clunie, Rheumatology Consultant at Ipswich Hospital will describe the preventative steps that men can take to keep their bones healthy; he commented: “One in five men are at risk of breaking a bone because of osteoporosis but most men know nothing about osteoporosis and think of it as something that affects only older women. This health awareness evening will reach out to remind men that they must look after themselves.”

Jean Nunn, President of the Ipswich and District National Osteoporosis Society Support Group and an organiser of the event has urged anyone who is interested in coming along to reserve their place as soon as possible: “We know that this is going to be a great event with one of Ipswich’s most popular footballers. With only have a limited number of tickets available, I would advise all those people who are interested, to reserve their place as soon as possible.”

Tickets are excellent value at £5 and include supper.

To book your place or for further details, contact Diana Thomas on 01394 277337 or click here to email Diana.